Police Superintendent Byron Filog Allatog, a proud Igorot from Bontoc Ili, Bontoc, Mountain Province, recently received an award from the Metrobank Foundation Inc. for his "excellence in doing his job as a police officer." The cop from the Cordilleras was among the select few who were honored with the Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) for 2019.
Allatog, an FBI-trained police officer, was among the awardees from the Philippine National Police recognized by the institution composed mainly from line of STAR ranks (Generals) namely retired Police Director Cedrick Train, retired Police Director Alex Paul Monteagudo, Police Director Noli G. Taliño (ret), PDDG Camilo P. Cascolan, PDIR Leo Angelo D. Leuterio, PCSUPT Rodelio B. Jocson, PCSUPT Rhodel O. Sermonia, PSUPT Byron F. Allatog, and PINSP Rhia B. Sotomil.
Chief of Police
During Allatog's tenure as La Trinidad, Benguet Chief of Police in 2014, he worked not only as head of the municipal police force in maintaining peace and order, but also ensured high trust and confidence from the community.
Under his leadership, the La Trinidad police force developed a community mapping system, dubbed "Strawberry Policing", for citizen identification and verification purposes, and organized various sectors in force multipliers and self-policing neighborhood watches, leading to a significant decrease in incidents of theft and physical violence in the municipality.
This project has proven to be an efficient, responsive, sustainable, and effective anti-crime program that utilizes the power of the police, local government, and the community.
During Allatog's stint as Bogo City Chief of Police, he advocated a community-based approach to the drug problem and oversaw the rehabilitation of hundreds of drug surrenderees. Chief Allatog went around and talked to the residents of Bogo to better understand their needs and steer them away from vices.
He then applied the same approach to his short assignment in Balanga City where he led multi-sectoral initiatives to promote the "Bahay Pagbabago" project, a reformation center that helps drug personalities undergo change through personnel development, livelihood training, and counseling.
He is now a Lieutenant Colonel and has been assigned to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) as Public Information Officer.
Early Career
Byron Allatog graduated with a degree in Public Safety from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in 2001. He received extensive training and policing courses from various levels of police agencies such as Criminal Investigation and Detective Development Courses of PNP Detective Schools, Supervisory Management and Criminal Investigation Course from the US Department of Justice, Police Intelligence Officers Course of the PNP Intelligence Training Group, and FBI National Academy Session 265 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Allatog has been a contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Efforts. He was a member of the UN-Close Security and Protection Officer of the UN Police Commissioner and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timor Leste.
His breakthroughs from the early stages of his career included the arrest of a prominent gun-for-hire involved in the murder of a fellow policeman and his two daughters in Tawi-tawi and the arrest of the Lepanto Heist mastermind who has been in hiding for almost 10 years.
MetroBank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos
In its long line of past awardees of the MetroBank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, selected few honorees from the Foundation's roster of awardees were bestowed the ACES 2019 Award or the Award for Continuing Excellence and Service.
Recognized for their continuing excellence in the performance of their respective professions, substantive contributions to their chosen disciplines, and sustained Outstanding Service to their respective institutions and communities.
The award is given every 4 years in time of the Metrobank Foundation Inc (MBFI) anniversary. Now on its 40th year with the theme "Puso at Sigasig", A Heart that persevers in the earnest zeal of the nation.
"Excel. Engage. Empower. " is the roadmap of MBFI in all its giving-back initiatives to communities and stakeholders. In its 40 years of existence, MBFI sustained its mission to create and propagate a Cultural of excellence and serve at the forefront to reach out to communities.
Other awardees were former AFP Chief of Staff, Gen Carlito T. Galvez; Maj Gen Alexander Balutan (ret); Lt Gen Raul Del Rosario (ret); Commodore Alberto B. Carlos; Rear Admiral Erick A. Kagaoan; etc. Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas; Dr. Allan B. De Guzman; Dr. Rowena Guevarra, etc., from the academe; Mr. Mark Andy R. Garcia; Ms. Mervy Pueblo; Mr. Mark Vincent Cosico; Mr. Samuel R. Peñaso, etc., from the artist sector and Mr. Jairus Bondoc from the journalist sector.
MBFI President, Mr. Chito Sibrepeña said that these exceptional men and women were awarded the ACES 2019 because of their consistent adherence to the highest standards of performance and conduct of duty. Equally competing, compassionate, and patriotic, they stand as symbols of Public Servants, he added.
