PNPA cadet not allowed to join graduation rites due to violation

PHOTO BY JULLIANE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

SILANG, Cavite–After four years of rigorous training, 246 soon-to-be police inspectors will graduate from the Philippine National Police Academy in Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Cavite on Thursday morning.

However, one of the cadets could not join the graduation rites of the PNPA’s 36th batch, according to the academy’s spokesperson Chief Inspector Richie Yatar.

Yatar said the male cadet, whose name was withheld by the PNPA, has violated a “class one offense under the Cadet guide,” considered a minor violation.

“He will have to be confined until April,” he said, adding that no graduation ceremony will be given to the said cadet.

President Benigno Aquino III will give a speech before the Lakandula (Lahing Kayumanggi na Handang Ialay sa Bayan ang Dugo at Lakas) class and is expected to air his side on Mamasapano incident anew amid the public outrage triggered by the clash that killed 66 people–including 44 policemen.

READ: Aquino to tell all about Mamasapano in PNPA speech

Of the 44, six Special Action Force commandos came from the PNPA.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina will also attend the ceremony.

The class valedictorian, Cadet 1st Class Dennis Monroid Yuson Jr. of General Santos City, will give a valedictory address before Aquino, police officials, his fellow graduates and their parents.

The rest of the top ten cadets are: Cadet 1st Class Rod Kevin Talplacido of Nueva Ecija, Marlon Landong of Negros Occidental, Raymund Caguioa of Taguig City, Michael Giner of Zamboanga Sibugay, Kenneth Lumbre of Camarines Sur, Nathaniel Faulve of Muntinlupa City, Roel Bata of Pampanga, Mark Avillano of Manila, and Julie Anne Aguilar of Antipolo City.

READ: In the Know: Philippine National Police Academy

Five of them are sons and a daughter of active and retired police officers, including Yuson whose father Police Inspector Dennis Yuson serves as the deputy head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team in Sultan Kudarat.

Among the awards Yuson will receive are the Presidential Kampilan, Chief PNP Kampilan Award, President PPSC Kampilan, Best in Thesis, and Best in Public Safety Subjects.

Meanwhile, Binay will give Talplacido the Vice Presidential Kampilan award. He will also receive the Journalism Kampilan.

Landong will be awarded by Roxas with the DILG Secretary Kampilan and the Athletic Kampilan award.

The class baron, or the regimental commander of the PNPA corps, Cadet 1st Class Alexis Aberion of Abra will also receive the Leadership Kampilan award.

One of the graduates is Cadet 1st Class Andal Ampatuan III, grandson and namesake of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. who is currently detained in Taguig City after being accused of perpetrating the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province.

READ: Misuari, Ampatuan grandsons among PNPA graduates

The younger Ampatuan is the son of former Datu Piang town Mayor Saudi Ampatuan, who was killed in a bomb attack in 2002.

Also joining the graduates is the grandson of fugitive Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari, Cadet 1st Class Mohammadizar Caluang Misuari.

Ampatuan and Misuari will be commissioned as officers of the 150,000-strong police force along with 225 other cadets while 10 cadets are slated to join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. The rest will serve in the Bureau of Fire Protection.

According to PNPA Director Chief Superintendent Armando Ramolete, 20 of the 225 cadets “reportedly wish” to join the SAF. The elite counterinsurgency unit lost 44 of its men in a January 25 operation.

READ: Despite low morale, police cadets joining SAF

The PNPA graduates will be conferred with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety.