SEVERAL police officials and units in Central Visayas were recognized during the 121st Police Service Anniversary on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.Officials of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7) led by Brig. Gen. Roque Eduardo Vega awarded the following commissioned, non-commission personnel and police units to the Philippine National Police’s campaign to maintain peace and order.Among the awardees was Col. Elmer Lim, officer-in-charge of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), for Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration. Lim was previously assigned to the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division before was assigned to CPPO.Also awarded was Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Chief Col.Arnel Banzon as Best Senior Police Officer for Operations; Lt. Col. Joeson Parallag of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) as Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration; Lt. Col. Epream Paguyod of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 7 as Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations; SMSgt. Marilyn Stella Animas of the Bohol Police Provincial Office as Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer for Administration; SMSgt. Jesse James Villarino of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) as Best Senior Police Non- Commissioned Officer for Operations; SSgt. Jonathan Monterde of the CPPO as Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer for Administration; SSgt. Francisco Quipanes Jr. of MCPO as Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer for Operations.Outstanding unitsSeven police units were also awarded: Noppo as Best Police Provincial Office; Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) as Best City Police Office; Dumaguete City Police Station (DCPS) as Best Component City Police Station; Abellana Police Station of the CCPO as Best City Police Station; Santa Catalina Police Station as the Best Municipal Police Station; RMFB 7 as the Best Regional Mobile Force Battalion; Cebu City Mobile Force Company as the Best City Mobile Force Company; and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Noppo as the Best Provincial Mobile Force Company.The Talisay City Police Station, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 3 and the Minglanilla Police Station (MPS) were named Best Performing Units in the campaign against illegal drugs.The DCPS, Cebu City Police Station 3 and the MPS were named Best Performing Units in the battle against illegal gambling.The Toledo City Police Station, the Mandaue City Police Station 3 and the Siaton Police Station (SPS) of the NOPPO were named Best Performing Units in the battle against loose firearms.The Guihulngan City Police Station, the Cebu City Police Station 4 and the SPS of the Noppo were named Best Performing Units in the campaign against wanted persons, while the 703rd Company was named as the Best Performing RMFB.Drop in crime felt in CVThe PRO 7 also released data on its campaign against criminality and illegal drugs for the past year.From April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, the PRO 7 recorded 40,967 crimes, a 5.38 percent drop from the previous year.Index crimes fell by 12.65 percent, while non-index crimes fell by 19 percent.According to Vega, they conducted 5,820 anti-illegal drugs operations and seized P837,094,007.60 worth of illegal drugs.The PRO 7 also arrested 891 most wanted persons and served 6,888 arrest warrants.“For our way forward, in line with the PNP Chief’s Peace and Security framework, this PRO will continue to strive further by adapting the MKK=K strategic framework and crafting tailored fit approaches anchored on the ‘Kasimbayanihan’ program because the combination of all of these will translate to progress and success in making Central Visayas a safer place to live and do business,” Vega said.