The senior judge of Torrevieja, Juana López Hoyos, highlighted yesterday, Monday 12th October, the daily work of the Guardia Civil officers, their collaboration with the courts, and the improved relations with the Local Police. The judge, who has served as senior judge since 1999, with the exception of one term, expressed her gratitude to the members of the Torrevieja Company during the celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar, patron saint of the Guardia Civil, and Hispanic Day. The institutional event was presided over by Commander Carlos Astrain Aguado, head and highest-ranking officer of the Torrevieja Guardia Civil Company, which oversees more than 200 officers in Torrevieja and around 600 throughout the 27 municipalities of the Vega Baja region.
The day included a mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, followed by the institutional ceremony on the Vista Alegre promenade, with the presence of the mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, and representatives of the security forces and the Administration of Justice.
A collaboration that didn’t always exist
One of the main issues addressed by the senior judge was the current relationship between the Guardia Civil and the Torrevieja Local Police. López Hoyos expressed feeling enormously flattered and satisfied by the collaboration between the two forces and recalled periods when such cooperation did not exist. The judge celebrated that their members now treat each other like brothers and expressly thanked Commander Carlos Astrain Aguado and the head of the Local Police, Superintendent Óscar Cartón, as well as the councillor for the area and lawyer Federico Alarcón.
She also acknowledged the effort and dedication of the officers in the Torrevieja Company and their collaboration with the courts. During her speech, she expressed her appreciation to those who maintain a particularly close relationship with the justice system through their daily work.
López Hoyos extended her gratitude to the families of the Guardia Civil officers. She referred to fathers, mothers, children, and partners, acknowledging the time they miss with the officers due to their professional duties. She also mentioned the risks they assume while working on the streets of Torrevieja and other municipalities. The judge also paid tribute to the Guardia Civil officers stationed in Ceuta.
The magistrate, who also acted as president of the Torrevieja Court of First Instance and head of the Court of Instruction number 2, concluded her speech by assuring that, if during the remaining 364 days the civil guards work under her orders in the judicial field, on Pilar Day she is the one who makes herself available to the agents.
For his part, the mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, once again highlighted the work of the Guardia Civil in the city and called for a reinforcement of agents at the main station.
Commander Carlos Astrain Aguado, head of the Torrevieja Company, presided over the ceremony held on the Vista Alegre promenade. As the highest-ranking officer of the unit, he received the corresponding honours at the start of the event, which included the raising of the national flag, the playing of the National Anthem, and a gun salute in remembrance of fallen members of the Guardia Civil. Astrain Aguado led the presentation of decorations and honorary mentions to members of the Guardia Civil, members of other security forces, and civilian collaborators.
In the honorary mentions section, the Guardia Civil Company recognised the Chief Superintendent of the Torrevieja Local Police, Óscar Cartón, for his willingness to collaborate and coordinate actions with the Guardia Civil, and the City Council’s Security Advisor, Adrián Ballester. The recognition highlighted the commitment to cooperation and understanding between the two forces. Civilian Emilio Hurtado Alcaraz also received a special distinction in recognition of his constant and selfless collaboration with the Guardia Civil, his willingness to help, and his commitment to service. Honorary distinctions were also awarded to members of the Torrevieja Civil Protection volunteer corps.