By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANDALUYONG CITY — The awarding of the First 2024 Gawad Parangal for The Elderly in Government Service was held here on Monday (Oct. 7) at the One Shangrila.
Lolit Acosta is the Chairperson of the Committee of the First Gawad Parangal.
Senior Citizens Party-List Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” M. Ordanes is the organizer of the event.
Brig. Gen. Nestor Torre III, former QCPD chief and now PNP CIDG chief, was one of the guests during the event.
Torre was assigned as PNP Davao Region 11 Regional Director on Feb. 10, 2024.
He led the serving of the arrest warrant against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) at the 30-hectare KOJC Compound in Davao City on June 10, 2024 for human trafficking and child abuse cases.
It took 16 days to successfully arrest Quiboloy at the KOJC Compound in Davao City.
Torre noted that the resistance was so strong and composed of unarmed women members of the KOJC during the time.
He said that they were not given the floor plan of the KOJC Compound which made the “tactical plan” very tedious.
He spearheaded the “3 minutes” response time in Quezon City through advanced technology.
Torre led the 4,500 policemen in the tactical assault of the KOJC.
“We really tested the limits of the law during that time,” Torre said.
He said that he doesn’t care anymore whether or not the supporter of Quiboloy will file charges against him.
Former House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr. was awarded with the 2024 Gawad Parangal for The Elderly in Government Service.
Belmonte said that he is fortunate enough to reach 88 years of age.
He added that he is not shying away from hard work and advised everyone to keep physical exercises to keep healthy.
Belmonte expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
Justice (Ret.) Raul B. Victorino, Dean of the College of Law of the Philippine Christian University, 90 years old, was awarded the 2024 Gawad Parangal for The Elderly in Law Practice.
Victorino described Rep. Ordanes as “Ang Bayani ng lahat ng Senior Citizens.”
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for all the benefits extended to all senior citizens in the country.
