Guardia Civil praised for making Balearics safe for tourists

The Guardia Civil was formed 171 years ago (the decree which established the force was made on 13 May, 1844) and the delegate of the national government to the Balearics, Teresa Palmer, yesterday presided over a ceremony in Palma to mark the anniversary of its founding. Together with the Guardia’s colonel-in-chief in the Balearics, Jaume Barceló, the regional minister for public administration, Juan Manuel Lafuente, and various representatives from the military and security forces as well as civil authorities, Palmer remarked that during its 171 years the Guardia Civil had evolved according to the progress and development of Spanish society, always there to protect the people. She spoke specifically of terrorism which had been defeated (a reference to ETA) but also of a more “extreme and deranged” menace of international origin.
Palmer noted that the Guardia was also on hand to help Spaniards in difficult situations overseas, as demonstrated recently in Nepal, and that officers from the Guardia are “examples to everyone”.
She went on to praise the efforts of the Guardia during a crisis closer to home, that of the Sorrento ferry which caught fire between Palma and Valencia, as well as the force’s mountain-rescue services, the security advice it offers to businesses with interests overseas, and the safety it provides for tourists.
She said that she was not surprised that the general public continued to value the Guardia Civil so highly, drawing attention to an opinion survey in which the force was ranked as the institution most valued by the public.
She thanked the Guardia for its courage, work and loyalty and for the help it gives to those who need it, offering, on behalf of the people of the Balearics, her love and gratitude to the force.
Palmer congratulated officers who had received merits who were now going into retirement or into the reserve force and highlighted the example given by veterans to young men and women who are now starting their careers with the Guardia Civil.
She also remembered those officers who had lost their lives in the course of their duty.
Finally, she observed that the Guardia was a vital pillar for ensuring the safety of the millions of tourists who come to the Balearics and for making the islands one of the safest destinations in the Mediterranean.