BUTUAN CITY – The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) has been recognized for topping the anti-illegal logging and illegal fishing drives in Caraga Region.
The recognition was given by the Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) during Thursday’s commemoration of the 199th Police Service Anniversary held in this city.
Col. James T. Goforth, SDSPPO director, told the Philippine News Agency that the campaign against illegal logging and fishing in the province was made possible through the efforts of the local police and residents.
“The police stations in partnership with our stakeholders deserve the commendation for this recognition. I thank them for their valuable support to SDSPPO,” Goforth said in an interview.
Data provided by SDSPPO on Thursday showed that a total of 104 illegal logging operations were conducted by different police stations in Surigao del Sur from October 23, 2019 to August 4, 2020.
Some 65,765 board feet of illegally gathered lumbers and 30 cubic meters of illegal logs were confiscated in the area during the period with a total value of over PHP2 million.
Also arrested were 99 individuals for engaging in illegal logging activities in the province.
On SDSPPO’s campaign against illegal fishing, police units in the province launched a total of 72 operations during the period that resulted in the confiscation of over PHP1.5 million worth of illegal fishing paraphernalia and PHP113,877 marine products.
The anti-illegal fishing campaign also resulted in the arrest of 186 persons, SDSPPO said.
Meanwhile, Goforth said SDSPPO was also recognized for the neutralization of four Abu Sayaff members in February this year.
Goforth said the recognition has brought “inspiration and honor” to all the police personnel in the area in Surigao del Sur.
During Thursday’s 199th Police Service Anniversary, the Philippine National Police recognized other police units and officers and personnel.
The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) under the leadership of Col. Adolph C. Almendra was awarded the Best Performing Unit of the Year in the Campaign Against Illegal Mining and the Best Police Strategy Management Unit of the Year, while the Surigao City Police Station under Lt. Col. Christian L. Rafols II was recognized as the Best Component City Police Station of the Year.
Col. Ringo C. Zarzoso, director of the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADSPPO) was also named the Police Senior PCO (Police Commissioned Officer) of the Year for Operations while Maj. Julius Erwin D. Espejo, the Officer-in-charge of the San Francisco Municipal Police Station (SFMPS), was named the Best Junion PCO of the Year for Operations.
SFMPS was also named the Best Municipal Police Station of the Year. (PNA)