2 outstanding cops get award

Police Officer II Catherine B. Pangelinan, one of the two outstanding employees of the Department of Public Safety who were honored with an award on Sunday by the Korean Association of Saipan, has solved numerous burglary and theft cases.

Police Officer II Peter A. Aldan, the other outstanding DPS employee who also received a plaque of appreciation, issued over 2,000 traffic citation tickets last year.

DPS Commissioner James C. Deleon Guerrero on Tuesday said they are very grateful to the Korean association for recognizing Pangelinan and Aldan.

Deleon Guerrero said the Korean association asked them to submit the names of two outstanding DPS employees that they want to recognize during their Thanksgiving holiday, Chuseok, at the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall. He said consulted all department supervisors and directors to come up with the names.

Deleon Guerrero said Pangelinan has been doing a lot of good work.

“Detective Pangelinan has really been very proactive in terms of solving a lot of burglaries and thefts that are happening now,” the commissioner said.

Deleon Guerrero said Aldan, a traffic officer, provides different norms of law enforcement.

“Officer Aldan issued over 2,000 citation tickets last year. I know that is not a popular thing in the community,” Deleon Guerrero said, smiling. “That is a very high number.”

The commissioner said the issuance of citation tickets are usually due to speeding, not wearing seatbelts, lack of registration, among others.

“I think that both employees are deserving of the award and I want to publicly express my appreciation to the Korean association for hosting that particular event and giving recognition to the two officers, “ he added.

Acting DPS spokesman Jason Tarkong said Aldan issues tickets not necessarily just for speeding, but he also responds and investigates a lot of traffic accidents, during which a citation could also be issued.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services also expressed appreciation to the Korean Association for recognizing Firefighter II Patrick Ogo and Firefighter I Joaquin T. Camacho.

Ogo is the officer-in-charge of the DFEMS search and rescue unit.

Camacho has been with the EMS Office handling grants and administration duties. He is a CPR instructor and works on search and rescue missions.