THE hunk cop who bagged the Mister International 2014 title has dedicated his success to the 44 Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed in the recent Maguindanao encounter.
"I am offering this fight to them, as I condole with their families," Police Officer 2 Mariano Flormata Jr. said.
Flormata, known by his screen name Niel Perez, bested 28 countries for the title on Saturday in the coronation night held in Seoul, South Korea. He also won second runner-up in the national costume contest.
Flormata is a member of the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal Aviation Security Group and was a classmate of seven of the 44 slain SAF commandos at the Police National Training Institute in 2008.
PNP spokesperson Generoso Cerbo Jr. said Flormata's achievement brings honor and prestige to the national police agency undergoing challenges brought by the bloody encounter between police commandos and Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.
"Of course we are happy for him. It's an honor not only for the PNP, but the whole country as well. From the OIC (officer-in-charge) PNP Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina down the line are all proud of his extraordinary accomplishment," he said.
(Sunnex)