SINGING their hearts out to Rizaleños, the Rizal Police Provincial Office headed by Colonel Felipe B. Maraggun emerged as the top Calabarzon police unit.

During the end of the celebration of the 29th Police-Community Relations Month, Police Regional Office 4-A director, Brigadier General Kenneth Paul T. Lucas awarded to the Rizal PPO the 2024 Outstanding Police-Community Affairs and Development Unit for Calabarzon.

Col. Maraggun was also hailed as the Outstanding Police-Community Affairs and Development Senior Police Commissioned Officer of the Year.

The award was given to Maraggun for his innovative ‘Music Diplomacy’ initiative which integrates the diverse talent of some Rizal policemen.

Likewise, his ‘Patrolya ng Bayan’ initiative has made a significant impact on crime prevention and public safety in Rizal.

Brig. Gen. Lucas said the Rizal PPO’s initiatives ‘fostered collaborative efforts where residents actively engaged with law enforcement agencies to fight criminality.

He added that by ensuring the deployment of 85 percent of police personnel in the field while fully partnering with the community, the Rizal PPO has helped reduce the eight focused crimes in the province.

PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said that by building the trust and confidence of the community they ‘serve and protect,’ they are also able to make the communities safer.

The 37th Rizal police director from Sta. Maria, Isabela has been in his current post since October 2023.

Among the projects he initiated are the ‘Bayan Ko’ police-community partnership designed to fortify crime prevention and suppression.

The groundbreaking program has fostered collaborative endeavors with local government units, barangays and other governmental organizations.

The Rizal PPO also launched its Revitalized Patrolya ng Bayan in Antipolo City and all other municipalities in the province and jibed it with continuing lectures on preventing and countering violent extremism.

Col. Maraggun also initiated the installation of solar street lamps in far-flung parts of the province in partnership with their stakeholders.

By putting a total of 162 solar-powered lights in the province’s 14 municipalities, the Rizal police has reduced street crimes taking place at night specifically in secluded areas.

Col. Maraggun also launched the Rizal PPO’s ‘Music Diplomacy’ initiative not only to entertain Rizaleños but to really connect with the public.