Manila, Feb. 3 -- Two Filipino police officers earned top honors in an International Police Exchange Program in the Middle East.

Maj. Florece Inar Vic Florece of the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office ranked first among 51 participants from 35 countries in the program hosted by the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Interior at the Abu Dhabi Police College.

Another Filipino officer, Capt. Joseph Pelobello, placed fifth overall, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

The awards were conferred during a ceremony attended by senior UAE leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held Thursday last week...