JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla on Friday called on officers and men of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) headed by Brigadier General Romeo M. Caramat Jr. to help the government realize its vision of ensuring that Filipinos will be provided with the real justice they deserve while really going after the so-called “big fishes” in the underworld and organized crime syndicates.

Speaking during the 70th PNP-CIDG founding anniversary at Camp Crame, the DOJ chief underscored the need for the PNP in general and the PNP-CIDG in particular to ensure the conviction of jailed crime offenders by providing quality evidence and solid testimony in court.

Remulla said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s only instruction to him during his appointment to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to make sure that flaws in the country’s criminal justice system will be fully addressed

“Ang gusto ni Presidente ‘eh ayusin natin ang justice system and we need the help of the PNP-CIDG to focus on much bigger crimes here. Wag na nila patulan ang mga pipitsugin sa kalye. I’m not saying na wag na silang manghuli ng maliliit, ibig sabihin wag kukuha ng tao para me accomplishments kundi para makatulong sa bansa,” the official said.

Remulla said that in July last year, he and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. collaborated to make the president’s vision a reality.

In order to change the previous landscape, he said that police and DOJ prosecutors are now working hand-in-hand to further improve the government’s conviction rate.

He maintained that success of the police force must be measured by its conviction rate, not with the number of arrests and seizures it is making. “It encompasses the quality of evidence needed to convict a criminal, not the number of criminals arrested,” he said.

The official congratulated Caramat and his men for their record accomplishments since last year. He also lauded the institutional police reforms being undertaken by the PNP under General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. but underscored the need to have an effective community-based feedback mechanism to further improve the police force.

PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lieutenant Gen. Rhodel O. Sermonia led top PNP officials in welcoming Remulla to Camp Crame. Sermonia has been designated as PNP officer-in-charge in the absence of Azurin who is leading a PNP delegation to an Interpol summit in Abu Dhabi.

Remulla, assisted by Sermonia and Caramat, presented plaques of recognition to outstanding PNP-CIDG officers and men and units during the occasion.

The awardees are Colonel Marlon R. Santos who was adjudged as the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer (PCO) for Operation of the Year; Major Gilbern F. Banderado (Best Junior PCO for Operation); Col. Bayani M. Razalan (Best Senior PCO for Administration); Maj. Erryl Rose M. Francisco (Best Junior PCO for Administration); Police Chief Master Sergeant Adhel L. Barrientos (Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer for Operation); Patrolman Jefrey B. Carilo (Best Junior PNCO for Operation); Police Executive Master Sergeant Melnoreen R. Guiyab (Best Senior PNCO for Administration; Pat. Angelo M. Paday (Best PNCO for Administration);

Pat. Bryan D. Madajas (Investigator of the Year); Reynard V. Dingal (Non-Uniformed Personnel of the Year, Supervisory Level); Catherine M. Antonio (NUP of the Year, Non-Supervisory Level); PEMS Reden G. Guzman (Special Award for Exemplary Performance during the COVID-19 Pandemic);

The CIDG Regional Field Unit (RFU) 4-A under Col. Santos as the Regional Field Unit of the Year-Category A; CIDG RFU 5 under Lieutenant Col. Samson Belmonte as RFU of the Year-Category B; CIDG RFU 12 under Col. Marvin Marcos as RFU of the Year-Category C;

The CIDG National Capital Region Field Unit headed by Col. Hansel M. Marantan as Special Category RFU of the Year; Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit under Lt. Col. Angel Bondoc as Best Special Operations Unit; Cavite Provincial Field Unit under Lt. Col. Bryan Dexter Andulan as Best Provincial Field Unit of the Year-Category A;

The Rizal POFU under Maj. Leopoldo Cajipe as Best PFU-Category B; Occidental Mindoro PFU headed by Major Manuel Nacar as Best PFU-Category C; CIDG Davao City Field Unit led by Lt. Col. Allan Reginald Basiya as Best City Field Unit of the Year; and the Quezon City CIDG District Field Unit under Lt. Col. Zyrus Michael Serrano as the CIDG District Field Unit of the Year.