At least 850 Aetas and poor families in Lasam, Cagayan received food and gift packs from members of the Police Regional Office-2 (Cagayan Valley) on Saturday.

Cagayan Valley regional police spokesperson Lt. Col. Andree Camhol-Abella said Region 2 police director Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves, his wife Imelda, and Cagayan provincial police members, distributed hundreds of food packs, 350 gift packs, and assorted clothing to these families through the “Lingkod Bayanihan sa Barangay” project in Barangays Peru and Sicalao in Lasam town on Saturday.

Filipinos abroad and from other regions such as Alvin Constantino of the Confederate Sentinels of God, Aniceto Casimiro of Island Pacific Supermarket USA, and Aklan Samaritans sponsored the outreach activity.

Nieves promised to extend more help “to the less fortunate families especially in the remotest areas of the region especially in this time of pandemic”.

“This endeavor is proof that the government through its various agencies is continuously devising ways to serve the people in the best way they can. I would also like to express my gratitude to the numerous donors who have been our partners since the start of this project as well as in the relief operations to the flood-stricken areas in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses,” he added.

Nieves also commended two Lasam police officers in the town.

He conferred Medalya ng Kagalingan to Capt. Pablo Tumbali, Lasam police chief, and M/Sgt. Ever Teppang for “notable operational accomplishments.”

Nieves also turned over five Galil rifles to Lasam police “to further strengthen their firepower as part of the police’s Capability Enhancement Program.” (PNA)