Sorsogon City - A city police chief who is a known nemesis of illegal drug dealers and a non-commissioned officer who cares about the rights of the civilians during police and military operations were among this year's best policemen.

Photo Caption: PNP’S FINEST. PSupt. Tomasito T. Clet (extrem right) receives his COPS award from Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during rites at Camp Crame.

        The two police officers who were both from Bicol were adjudged as two of the best PNP members in the country during the annual search for best policemen sponsored by the Metrobank Foundation in partnership with the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

        P/Supt Tomasito Torrano Clet was chosen as an outstanding commissioned officer while SPO1 Recto G. Valeriano was awarded best non-commissioned policeman during the annual search for the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).

        Clet is presently the police chief of Iriga City while Valeriano is the police-community relations officer of the 509th Provincial Police Mobile Group stationed in Bulan, Sorsogon.

        Clet started his career as a police lieutenant after the EDSA people power revolution after graduating from the Philippine National Police Academy.

        A seasoned intelligence and operations officer, Clet held various positions in several provincial and municipal police commands.

        At one time, Clet was the police station commander of Sorsogon during which he launched a vigorous campaign against drug dealers here.

        He was also instrumental in the capture of the members of a notorius holdup gang which heldup the Sorsogon provincial office of the National Food Authority.

        After his stint here in Sorsogon, he held various positions at the PNP Regional Command, Masbate Police Provincial Office and at the San Juan and Pasig Police Offices in Metro Manila.

        As the present chief of the Iriga City Police Office, Clet is touted as one of the best the city ever has. Sources said, he is being groomed to be the new police chief of Naga City, Bicol's premiere city.

        Valeriano, meanwhile, holds a distinction as one of the Ten Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines 2003 bestowned by the Lion's Club.

        A person who tempers courage with care for the rights of the civilians, Valeriano's credentials were no mean feat.

        He lists among his important accomplishments the arrest of the Number One most wanted criminal in the Bicol region, Eduardo Huab alias Aday, the capture of notorious drug pushers, neutralization of armed robbers and drug dealers and the apprehension of illegal recruiters and the rescue of young girls from white slavery.

        The two, togetehr with the other awardees, were honored in a ceremony which coincided with the turn-over of command of the new PNP chief held at Camp Crame last July 5, 2006. Media Solutions