BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A former police chief of Sagay City in Negros Occidental was among the outstanding individuals and police units honored during the 121st Police Service Anniversary celebration held yesterday at Camp Crame in Quezon City, which had President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the guest of honor and speaker.
PLt. Col. Antonio Benitez, the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit chief of the Western Visayas police, was adjudged the “Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration” nationwide.
Benitez received the award from President Marcos Jr. himself.
Prior to his transfer to PRO 6 headquarters in Iloilo City, Benitez used to serve as police chief of Sagay City and company commander of a police mobile force unit in northern Negros.
The Bacolod City Police Office, on the other hand, ended as a finalist, after being ranked second to Zamboanga City Police Office, which won as the Best City Police Office nationwide.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office was also among the finalists as Best Provincial Police Office all over the country.*