By Maritess B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra (30 October) -- Philippine National Police-Abra Provincial Director Marcelo Mercado-Manalo is set to go from the service, but finds no one to replace him yet. In his farewell statement to the people of Abra thru the local radio here, Manalo especially thanked the people of Abra for their unstinting support to the Abra Provincial Police Office.

He said, "I will not talk of statistics about my accomplishment, but I extend my gratitude and appreciation for the support of the people of Abra for my one year and two months with valuable and challenging experience in Abra."

In an interview with the local media here in Abra, Manalo was proud to say, that he performed with flying colors during his 33 years, 7 months and 18 days in service as he was never charged of any wrong-doing criminally and administratively. And he attributes this to discipline, commitment and dedication to duty. He thanked the Almighty who he said is his guiding light and invincible armor in carrying out his duty as a public servant.

This was affirmed by the performance of the local Police officers in the province. PSI Constante A. Agno, COP of Luba and PI Ruben D. Forte, COP of Dolores said in their interview during the Hot PNP Hour weekly radio program over DWGF-Hot FM, they have to be always on alert because PD Manalo usually conducts unannounced inspections to the local PNP stations.

The COPs also expressed their gratitude for the fatherly concern of Manalo to his officers and men especially in the far-flung areas which are high risk as they are prone to communist terrorist attacks especially because most of the local stations have problems with lack of personnel. And so Manalo caused the approval of the funding of the construction of state-of-the-art local police stations to ensure their safety.