Silang, Cavite
10 March 2016
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the graduation rites of the 253 cadets belonging to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Masundayaw Class of 2016, emphasizing the importance of their role as the flagship of peace and order in the community, and the development of the whole nation.
As his last attendance to the graduation as Commander-in-Chief, President Aquino expressed his contentment on the achievements that the administration has done in improving the country’s police force. He underlined the accomplishments in terms of the modernization of equipment, crime-fighting projects, and benefits among the uniformed personnel.
President Aquino reported the additional firearms and vehicles purchased for the police force since 2013 that will help in maintaining the safety of the Filipino people. These include 74,879 units of Glock 17 9mm pistol; 1,490 patrol jeeps; 247 personnel carriers; 69 light transport vehicles; 1,095 motorcycles; and 12,949 handheld radios.
Moreover, the President mentioned the improvement of the Integrated Ballistics Identification System, as well as the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which he said is solely based on a more intelligent and strategized peace and order tactics. Likewise, he reiterated the Executive Order that will uplift the benefits of every policeman. These include the standardization of the monthly hazard pay and the raise in provisional allowance.
“Idiin ko nga po, ang lahat ng benepisyo at suportang natatamasa ninyo, bunga ng matinding repormang isinulong natin sa Daang Matuwid. Sa lahat ng pamumuhunan nating ito upang paunlarin ang kakayahan ninyong mga kasapi ng unipormadong serbisyo, nakikita po natin ang positibong resulta,” President Aquino said.
He encouraged the entire police force, especially the PNPA community, to continue the straight path towards a safer and more peaceful nation. He also emphasized that the administration will always be open in giving support to promote their welfare.
“Tiwala akong bilang mga lingkod bayani, lagi kayong papanig sa tama at makatwiran, lagi ninyong paglilingkuran ang ating mga Boss, ang sambayanang Pilipino. Sa tulong ng Masundayaw Class of 2016, ng ating mga Boss, at ng Poong Maykapal, ay iiwan natin ang ating bayang mas mabuti, mas maunlad, at mas panatag kaysa ating dinatnan,” President Aquino ended.
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