Luanda: Former commanders-general of the National Police were decorated this Monday in Luanda with the Police Order and Distinguished Service medals, as part of the celebrations of the corporation's 50th anniversary, marked on February 28, and National Independence.
According to Angola Press News Agency, these honors were bestowed upon Santana Andr© Pitra 'Petrofe', Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos 'Nando', posthumously, Joo de Carvalho 'Tetembwa', Fernando Vaz da Concei§o 'Mussolo', and Armindo Esprito Santo Vieira, during an event held at the 'Serra Van-Dºnem' Higher Institute of Police Sciences.
The distinction recognized senior officers of the corporation on active duty, retired, and posthumously, with the awarding of first-class medals. Among those honored were Eduardo Cerqueira, Ambr³sio de Lemos, Elizabeth Frank 'Betty', Jos© Armindo Chingango 'Ekukui', Alfredo Eduardo Mingas, Paulo de Almeida, Arnaldo Carlos, Ant³nio Maria Sita, Salvador Rodrigues 'Dod³', Francisco Ribas, and Domingos Ferreira de Andrade.
Speaking to the press, the Minister of State and Head of the Military House of the President of the Republic, Francisco Pereira Furtado, who presided over the event, the second of the year, stated that the aim was to recognize the achievements of those honored in favor of the country throughout the corporation's 50 years. He noted that the decorations will continue and should reach, in this first phase, 710 officers. 'With the approval of the recent Decorations Law, this act will be carried out continuously,' he said.
Elizabeth Frank, distinguished in two categories (Police Order and Distinguished Services), praised the act, noting its encouraging effect on other members of the corporation, including women, to dedicate themselves to the benefit of the country. 'I feel happy, this means great recognition and I call on other women to do their best,' she stressed.
The general commander and chief delegate, Francisco Ribas, viewed it as recognition for all the corporation's personnel, honoring their bravery, dedication, and discipline in favor of the nation. 'We must all do our best to overcome obstacles to fulfill our mission and serve the country,' he said.
