Rain ahead of Basyang fails to stop President’s Cebu visit
Different crowds waited for President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday in three Cebu venues where he was scheduled to touch base with health officials, police and military leaders, and mayors and governors from Central Visayas.
The President launched the Malasakit Center in Cebu’s largest public hospital, where he mentioned that he remained worried about the illegal drug problem in Cebu. He then went to the turnover ceremony for 20 patrol vehicles the Japanese Government has donated, before meeting with police and military officials. Past 9 p.m., he headed for a meeting with mayors and governors.
President Rodrigo Duterte gave yesterday afternoon an award to the police officer who was wounded in a drug bust in Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu last Feb. 4.
PO2 Aristeo Tampus, an anti-narcotics operative of San Fernando Police Station, received the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kampilan.
Tampus was with his family when he accepted the award from President Duterte at the Police Regional Office 7 headquarters in Cebu City.
Duterte also graced the ceremonial turnover of 20 Mitsubishi Montero Sport patrol vehicles to PRO 7 after his visit to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
He arrived at the PRO 7 past 4 p.m. amid a heavy rain brought by tropical storm Basyang.
Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan Dr. Hiroto Izumi were present.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. president and chief executive officer Mutsuhiro Oshikiri said in a press statement that they are “delighted to be playing a key role in supporting the work done by local police officers.”
Of the 20 vehicles, 10 will go to the Cebu City Police Office, while the Mandaue City Police Office and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office will get five each.
The first batch of 40 patrol vehicles was delivered to Camp Crame last November and the second batch of 26 vehicles were given to the police in Davao City early this year.
The vehicles are supplied through an agreement between the Japan International Cooperation System and Sojitz Corp. under Japan’s Grant Aid Program.
The aid aims to contribute to safety and socioeconomic development, through the provision of local and public counterterrorism and safety-related equipment in the country.
Duterte and top police officials led by Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa also inspected the P1.5 million worth of illegal firearms and gun-making tools seized in Ba- rangay Masaba, Danao City last Sunday afternoon.
The President held a command conference with PRO 7 and Central Command officials afterward.