NOW: The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) holds its 40th Commencement Exercises for 201 graduates of the Sansiklab Class 2019 here in Silang, Cavite. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/ImQbJDjnos
— Cathrine Gonzales (@CGonzalesINQ) March 22, 2019
CAVITE, Philippines — Two hundred and one cadets belonging to the Sansiklab Class 2019 of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduated Friday (March 22) at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
Members of the class earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Public Safety during graduation rites attended by President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo.
The graduating class, whose motto is to “live as saviors, die as heroes,” consists of 154 male and 47 female. The class was originally 350 members in 2015.
One hundred and thirty-eight of the graduates will join the Philippine National Police (PNP), 41 will join the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and 22 will join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Sansiklab stands for “Sandigan ng Mamamayan na may Sigasig na Itaguyod ang Kapayapaan at Ipaglaban ang Bayan.”
During his speech, PNPA director Chief Supt. Chiquito Malayo addressed the parents of graduates, whom he described as those who “shielded” their children “from the consequences brought about (by) their immaturity” when they were young.
“However today, after spending years away from your physical care, your son and daughter, now proudly standing in front of us, are molded and transformed into matured individuals capable of standing up for their actions and ready to protect not only for themselves and family but also for the community they promised to serve,” Malayo said.
President Duterte was guest of honor at the commencement exercises. Aside from Robredo, also in attendance during the graduation rites were Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, BFP Director Leonard Bañago, and Jail Director Deogracias Tapayan.
Priscila Ramos kisses her son Police Lieutenant Jervis Allen after the graduation ceremony of the Sansiklab Class 2019 of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) held in Camp Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on Friday, March 22, 2019. Jervis was the top graduate of the Sansiklab Class. (Photo by Cathrine Gonzales / INQUIRER.net)
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde was not able to attend the ceremony due to an official mission on counter-terrorism with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies in the United States. He was represented, however, by PNP Deputy Director for operations General Francisco Gamboa.
This year, Duterte has given the Presidential Kampilan Award for the top of the class, Police Lieutenant (Inspector) Jervis Allen Ramos, who hails from Tondo, Manila.
READ: From poor Tondo boy to top PNPA graduate
Six of the top 10 graduates are women, coinciding with the National Women’s Month celebration this March. /kga