SILANG, Cavite—President Aquino on Monday rallied fresh graduates of the Philippine National Academy (PNPA) to his good government program, urging them to overcome temptations that would test their resolve in the professional ranks.
Speaking at the 35th PNPA commencement exercises at Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda here, the President pointed to PNPA Class 2014’s motto, “A life lived for others is a life worth living,” and said, “Wherever you may be assigned, whatever luxury or temptation might test the strength of your principles, always side with what is right and with what would be good for your fellowmen.”
Aquino spoke of the “changing face of public service,” citing current efforts to provide sufficient equipment to the police, fire and jail management departments.
Of this year’s 202 graduates, who earned their degree in public safety, 187 were admitted to the Philippine National Police, 10 to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and five to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
The class included 10 female cadets.
Two cadets dismissed
Two cadets were dismissed earlier for violating the PNPA honor code. One was caught cheating in an exam and the other mistreated a plebe.
PNPA officials did not disclose the identities of the two dismissed cadets.
The class valedictorian, Glenn Santelices, received the Presidential and the Chief of the Philippine National Police awards from Aquino and PNP Director General Alan Purisima.
Santelices, who chose to join the PNP, was commissioned as police inspector.
Aquino vowed that every policeman and jail officer would soon get a service firearm.
He noted the purchase of 74,879 Glock pistols, many of which had been distributed to members of the PNP. He said among those who would receive new pistols would be members of Class 2014.
Reequipment plan
A total of 882 patrol vehicles, 17,680 assault rifles, more than 200,000 magazines for basic assault rifles and 5,000 mobile radios were also being procured as part of the PNP’s Operational Transformation Plan, he said.
For the BJMP, the President said the government had bought 4,888 9 mm pistols.
He said the government had set aside P3.6 billion for the purchase of 300 fire trucks and the construction of some 300 fire stations. He said the BFP had also acquired 76 Rosenbauer fire trucks.
“No magic was involved in the purchase of these equipment. Your leaders simply performed their sworn duty,” he said.—With a report from Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon