Seventeen policemen and women from all over the country made it to the final selection phase of the 2010 Search for Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS), a recognition program undertaken by the Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of New Manila East and PSBank, in partnership with the Philippine National Police.

The finalists in the commissioned officer category are PSupt. Edgardo L. Ardales (Legaspi City), PSInsp. Lourdes S. Banzuelo (Iloilo City), PSupt. Sterling Raymund P. Blanco (Laoag City), PSupt. Leo M. Francisco (Taguig City), PSupt. Chino O. Mamburam (Kidapawan City), PSupt. Florencio T. Ortilla (Davao City), PSupt. Noel R. Ponsaran (Davao City) and PSupt. Sidney N. Villaflor (San Jose City, Nueva Ecija).  

The finalists in the non-commissioned officer category are PO3 Zoraida M. Aripin (Zamboanga City), PO3 Joey V. Castillon (Tobias Fornier, Antique), SPO4 Lauro A. Delen (Quezon City), PO3 Edilberto B. Euraoba III (Sibulan, Negros Oriental), SPO2 Desiderio M. Noora (Baler, Aurora), SPO2 Dominador B. Osias, Jr. (Quezon City), PO3 Roel P. Paclibar (Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat), SPO3 Hermie S. Raymundo (Lingayen, Pangasinan), and PO3 Shella Mae A. Sangrines (Iloilo).  

“We are proud to announce the finalists for COPS 2010 as they are the embodiment of community-oriented policemen and women who mobilize their communities to solve and prevent crime,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto “Chito” Sobrepeña. “Indeed, they are the best among the best in our police force and those who will make it as COPS awardees truly deserve it as seen in their career achievements,” he added.   

The finalists were chosen by a selection committee composed of representatives from the PNP, government, non-government organizations and the Rotary Club. They are PCSupt. Wilhelm E. Barlis, Executive Officer of Directorate for Personnel and Records Management; SPO4 Rogelio Villalon Quejada, PNP Chief Executive Senior Police Officer; Dr. Ma. Luisa Salonga-Agamata, Head of the Honor Awards Program of the Civil Service Commission; Hon. Eduardo U. Escueta, Commissioner, Vice Chairman and Executive Officer of the National Police Commission; Atty. Carlos P. Medina, Executive Director of Ateneo Human Rights Center; Mr. Edgardo Amistad, Chairman of the League of Corporate Foundations; Mr. Jose Pepito Murao, past president of Rotary Club of Cubao Central; and Mr. Emmanuel P. Guillermo, past President of Rotary Club of Balintawak.  

The 17 finalists will undergo the final judging which has two phases, the documents review and the panel interview. A maximum of ten will be declared as COPS 2010 awardees. Each awardee will receive a trophy and a cash prize of P250,000 courtesy of the Metrobank Foundation. Now on its eighth year, COPS is an annual search that recognizes the shared responsibility between the police and community by honoring exemplary members of the PNP who have worked with their communities in solving and preventing crime.