Silang, Cavite
31 March 2014
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the 202-strong members of Mandilaab Class of 2014 to be the model of justice, integrity and service as they venture in the real world as law enforcers and public-safety officers during the 35th Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) commencement exercises at Camp Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
“Bilang panibagong henerasyon ng mga lingkod-bayang hinuhubog ng PNPA, tiwala akong buong-loob ninyong haharapin ang mga pagsubok na nag-aabang sa inyo sa labas ng akademya. Inaasahan kong malinaw sa inyo kung ano ang tama at mali; inaasahan kong bilang tagapagpatupad ng batas, kayo naman ay hindi magkukulang sa pagsunod rito,” he said.
The President challenged the Mandilaab Class to embody the principles instilled in them by the institution and to side only with what is right that will best serve the public.
“Ang hamon at atas ko naman sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Class Mandilaab — ang mga Mandirigmang May Dangal at Isipan Laan Para sa Bayan — saan man kayong lugar madestino, anumang luho o tukso ang sumubok sa tibay ng inyong prinsipyo; lagi kayong pumanig sa tama, at sa kung ano ang mas makabubuti sa inyong kapwa,” he added.
President Aquino also mentioned several projects and reforms being pushed by the government to enhance and upgrade the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). He said that the government had already acquired 74,879 Glock 17 pistols for law enforcers, bringing the 1:1 police-to-pistol ratio target closer to becoming a reality. Likewise, PhP 2 billion had been allocated to enhance PNP’s mobility, firearms, investigation, communication and rehabilitation components prescribed under the Operational Transformation Plan. For the BJMP, he expects the 1:1 jail officer-to-pistol ratio will soon be achieved these coming months, while 76 new Rosenbauer fire trucks have been added to upgrade BFP’s capability on top of the PhP 3.6 billion budget allocated to procure 300 additional fire trucks, and build more or less 300 fire stations.
Towards the end of the graduation rites, PNPA Director Police Chief Superintendent Jon A. Arnaldo announced that the President has just granted pardon to all PNPA cadets with outstanding sanctions and punishments and in confinement.
Topping the PNPA “Mandilaab” Class of 2014 was Insp. Glenn T. Santellices, a native of Bicol. He was awarded the Presidential Kampilan Award by President Aquino, the PNP Kampilan Award by Police Director General Alan Purisima and the Plaque of Merit, 1st Place by Police Superintendent Noel Constantino.
Also present were Vice President Jejomar Binay and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.
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