Camp Castañeda, Silang, Cavite
26 March 2015
President Benigno S. Aquino III challenged the 246 cadets belonging to the Lakandula Class of 2015 to use and embody the knowledge and principles instilled in them by the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) not just to accomplish their missions, but more so to protect the welfare of their countrymen.
In his speech during the PNPA’s 36th commencement exercises, he said, “Sa bawat kriminal na inyong mahuhuli, sa bawat suhol na inyong tatanggihan, at sa bawat pagpapakita ninyo ng tapang sa panahon ng sakuna, makakapag-ambag kayo sa higit na kaligtasan ng kalakhang lipunan.”
President Aquino mentioned several reforms and projects being pushed by the government to upgrade and enhance the services of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) thru the acquisition of 74,879 Glock 9mm pistols, 12,399 handheld radios and 144 patrol jeeps from the year 2010 to 2014.
“Nitong Marso naman, nakapag-hire na tayo ng 4,859 non-uniformed personnel para tumutok sa gawaing administratibo sa inyong ahensya, upang madagdagan naman ang bilang ng mga pulis na nagpapatrolya sa komunidad. Noong nakaraang taon din po, 9,860 PO1 positions na ang napunan natin. Ngayong taon, naglaan na tayo ng 1.64 billion pesos para madagdagan pa ng 10,000 ang PO1 positions,” the Commander-in-Chief added.
Moreover, President Aquino stated that this will be the last time he will discuss the Mamasapano encounter in his speech, and emphasized that government is taking steps in analyzing the tragic incident to protect the lives of the Special Action Force (SAF) members in future operations.
“Pero batid ko po: Walang salitang sasapat upang maipaliwanag ang pagkakamatay ng ating magigiting na pulis. Hindi maipagkakasya sa anumang ulat o talumpati ang lungkot na nararamdaman ng isang magulang na nawalan ng isang mabuting anak. Ang magagawa ko na lamang matapos ang lahat ng dapat sabihin at magawa ang lahat ng dapat gawin: Humingi ng pang-unawa,” the President said.
Lakandula, which stands for ‘Lahing Kayumanggi na Handang Ialay sa Bayan ang Dugo at Lakas,’ is composed of 226 male cadets and 20 female cadets.
Topping the class is Cadet 1st Class Dennis M. Yuson, Jr., a native of General Santos City. He received the Presidential Kampilan award, PPSC President Kampilan, PNP Chief Kampilan and a Plaque of Merit.
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