Chief, FESSAGS
Regional Operations and Plans Division, Police Regional Office 7

Once hailed as the youngest and most bemedalled chief of police that the city of Dumaguete has ever had, P/Supt. Lawas took just fifteen relatively short years to achieve his current rank and status in the PNP.

As a proof of his exemplary career, he has amassed at least 26 medals and numerous awards, badges and commendation letters from various government units and private sector organizations as well as from public officials. During his stint as chief of police of Dumaguete City, his accomplishments include the immediate solution of incidents of armed robberies and other forms of criminality.

He also led operations that resulted to the arrest of prominent drug pushers in the locality and the recovery of illegal drugs. Under his watch, the city also made significant headway in stopping the proliferation of illegal gambling through the capture of big-time gambling lords. His innovative peace and order programs are especially notable for the involvement of the community in securing the safety and well-being of his constituents. More importantly, his public service and civil relations projects have earned not just the support of hi peers and the police organization, but the respect and admiration of the civilian populace as well. Among these activities were the distribution of books to public schools, a barangay feeding program, medical and dental outreach programs, and capability and skills building projects. Before his assignment in Dumaguete, P/Supt. Lawas also participated in the solution of a high profile kidnap for ransom case in Cebu, and was instrumental in the capture of the three most wanted persons in Central Visayas in 1998.

Born in Cebu, this 38-year old officer is married to a native of Dumaguete, the former Alberta Flores, with whom he has two children. He finished his elementary and high school studies at the top of his class, and after completing a vocational course in Cebu, went on to enlist at the Philippine Military Academy from where he graduated in 1987.