LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Seeing the need for a forensic laboratory in the Cordillera region, Benguet Cong. Eric Go Yap earmarked P40 million for the realization of a crime lab at the Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO-COR).
The crime lab was inaugurated on Feb. 16 by PNP Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., PRO-COR regional director Gen. Mafelino Bazar and Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas as Yap said the facility hopes to declog the immense number of pending requests for ballistics and DNA examinations received by the PNP Forensic Group.
Yap added the large number of requests is not only attributed to the inadequate number of forensic personnel but also the group’s lack of facilities.
“The case is no different in the Cordillera. Hence, it is in this regard that we should be able to provide a forensic laboratory in our region, in addition to our aspiration to expedite the provision of justice, particularly for police investigations,” Yap said.
Yap claimed the Cordillera’s Regional Forensic Unit building is a symbol of his commitment to the PNP, the local officials of CAR, and most especially the people—a reminder that efforts are being undertaken to make government services available to the people, no matter how unreachable the situation may seem.
“I know that a forensic laboratory shall be established in our very own region. After all, we cannot empower our very own uniformed personnel if we do not take initiatives to improve their facilities and units,” added the solon.
Yap said the construction of the crime lab is just one of the few initiatives by his office in a bid to help the PNP achieve its goal.
“This is only the beginning of our never-ending support for the PNP. In fact, during the last groundbreaking ceremony of the RHPU Cor & PHPT Benguet Building in September, we have highlighted the number of bills we have filed to show our support, such as the bill institutionalizing a unified system for the separation, retirement, and benefits of our very own uniformed personnel in order to expedite the release of your remunerations and benefits and the bill granting educational scholarships in case that you become permanently incapacitated or killed in the course of your duty,” Yap said.
Several bills were also filed by Yap in Congress including the free legal services to uniformed personnel in case they will face certain cases that are in line with their performance of duty.
“Although remarkable, our initiatives to bring ease and efficiency to your profession still do not commensurate to the amount of selfless service and love for the country that each of you have shown, in view of offering your own lives for your motherland. As your fellow public servant, I cannot help but take inspiration from every single one of you. You are our modern-day heroes, and together, may we continually aspire a sustainable development that is geared towards the benefit of our people, of the Cordillerans,” Yap closed.
