In a fitting ceremony, the Valenzuela City Peace and Order Council (POC) headed by Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian awarded yesterday Plaques of Commendation and cash incentives of Php 5,000 each to 25 policemen and 3 social workers instrumental to the crackdown of a human trafficking syndicate based in Coron, Palawan.

In May 4, 2011, Valenzuela City Police led by then Valenzuela City police Station (VCPS) Chief P/SSUPT Eric Serafin G. Reyes arrested the suspect, Neville Tañag alias “K.Y.,” at the Pier 2 of the North Harbor in Manila in the act of preparing recruits to be transported via sea travel. A thread of text messages between “K.Y.” and an undercover policewoman posing as a recruit contains an exchange of information that details the process of recruiting female targets intended for the prostitution den. Social workers of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) led by its Officer-in-Charge Ms. Dorothy G. Evangelista identified one of the rescued women as a resident of Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City.

In a keynote address, Mayor WIN expressed his thanks to the team of policemen and social workers who were willing to cross seas to rescue their fellowmen and bring justice to their situation. “In this event, we commend the men and women of the police force, as well as, the social workers for their extra effort to exact justice on this case. Tonight, we uplift the dignity and restore the respect that is due to the servants of the people. Rest assured that we [the City Government] and the POC will continue monitoring the safety and security of our fellow Valenzuelanos, and give due credit to our uniformed officers in occasions like this,” he said.

Mayor WIN was assisted by Acting VCPS Chief P/SSUPT Atty. Wilben Mayor and Atty. Teresita Capacillo, City Administrator in handing out the certificates and incentives.

The same day, the City Police presented to Mayor WIN the suspects in the recent murder case of Chinese businessman, Jeffrey Ong, in Barangay. Rincon,Valenzuela City. They were arrested in consolidated operations in Caloocan, and as far as, Southern Leyte and Davao City.

- Michael King C. Urieta (06-17-2011)