President Aquino leads graduation rites of
Philippine National Police Academy
(SILANG, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III
led the 34th commencement exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy
for "Tagapamagitan Class 2013" on Friday.
During the graduation rites held at the PNPA
Grandstand, Camp General Mariano N. Castaneda here, the Chief Executive
conferred upon this year's 252 graduates the degree of Bachelor of Science in
Public Safety (BSPS).
Lawyer Ruben Platon, president of the Philippine
Public Safety College, said the members of this year's graduating class have
adopted Tagapamagitan as the appropriate name for their class which means,
mediator or arbitrator, as they aimed at bridging the gap between the members
of the law enforcement and the community.
Composing the top 10 cadets are topnotcher Jhon
Felix Gutierrez Pascual Jr., Christian Palustre Javier, Davis Vicente Dulawan,
Mohammad Fahad Dinampo Julwadi, Markson Solomon Almeranez, Aiman Jumlani
Kamlon, Mark Francis Tupaz Bauya, Nino Villanueva Aquiatan, Aiman Khuzaimah
Pagayawan Pantaran and Zynon Aclinen Paiking.
The top-notcher, Jhon Felix Gutierrez Pascual
Jr. from Iguig, Cagayan, received from President Aquino the Presidential
Kampilan Award and the Chief Philippine National Police Kampilan Award from PNP
Chief, Director General Alan M. Purisima.
Platon said three Muslim graduates landed among
the top 10 graduates – a first in PNPA history.
Dinampo Julwadi, a native of Sta. Barbara,
Zamboanga City, placed fourth overall while Kamlon of Jolo, Sulu ranked 6th and
Pantaran made it to the 9th spot.
The Philippine National Police Academy was
established under Section 19, Presidential Decree 1184 and became a primary
component of the Philippine Public Safety College pursuant to Section 67 of
Republic Act No. 6975 which was created to provide preparatory education and
training for the three uniformed bureaus of the Department of the Interior and
Local Government namely, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection
and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Platon re-affirmed the PPSC's commitment to make
the PNPA the premier educational institution for the officers of the
government's tri-public safety bureaus such as Philippine National Police,
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection.
Also in attendance were Interior and Local
Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr, Police Chief Superintendent Dominador
Aquino, among others. PND (js)
President Aquino urges police graduates to
remain dedicated to the community
(SILANG, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III
challenged on Friday the 252 graduates of the Philippine National Police
Academy's Tagapamagitan Class 2013 to help the government in effecting reforms
for the benefit of the people.
In his speech keynoting the 34th commencement
exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy for "Tagapamagitan
Class 2013" held at the PNPA Grandstand, Camp General Mariano N. Castaneda
here, the Chief Executive told the graduates to always focus on being public
safety officers for the betterment of the society.
"Ang atas at hamon ko sa ating
Tagapamagitan Class of 2013: Huwag n’yong bibiguin ang ating mga Boss—ang
sambayanang Pilipino. Umaasa akong sa harap ng kaliwa’t kanang tukso ng
salapi’t kapangyarihan, uunahin ninyo ang kapakanan ng mga naisasantabi,"
President Aquino said.
"Higit pa sa pagiging tagapagtanggol, kayo
ang magsisilbing tagapamagitan: ang maglalapit sa mamamayan sa ating mga
unipormadong hanay, ang tulay na maghahatid ng kaayusan at ligtas na pamumuhay;
at magbibigkis sa bawat Juan dela Cruz sa kabila ng anumang pagkakaiba at
di-pagkakaunawaan sa lipunan," he stressed.
President Aquino also asked them not only to
remain competent in their own fields but at the same time dedicated to the
community.
"Lagi ninyong isipin kung ano ang
makakabuti sa nakakarami, at maging patas kayo sa pagtugon sa problema ng
inyong ahensya; pulis ka man, bumbero, warden, o kapwa nagsisilbi sa
bayan," he noted.
President Aquino assured his administration's
unwavering support for the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection to strenghten the
capabilities of their officers and members in the performance of their mandate.
"Mapalad kayo dahil nasa harap ninyo ngayon
ang napakagandang pagkakataon para pumasok sa serbisyo. Tapos na ang panahon na
tila dagdag-pasakit pa ang gobyerno sa mga nagmamalasakit sa bayan," he
said.
"Kaya naman bago matapos ang taong ito,
target nating mapasakamay na ang halos 74,800 na unit ng 9mm pistol na binili
natin sa ilalim ng PNP Capability Enhancement Program. Tutugunan nito ang
ipinamana sa ating 50 porsyentong kakulangan sa pistola, upang tuluyan nang
makamit ang 1:1 ratio sa bilang ng mga pulis at baril," he stressed.
He also pledged that the government would
continue to provide equipments to stregnthen the capabilities of the public
safety officers to better serve the public.
"Nito ring nakaraang taon, nakabili na tayo
ng pitumpu’t anim na fire trucks para sa Bureau of Fire Protection. Ang good
news po: sa halip na bilhin natin ito ng siyam na milyong piso, nakuha natin
ang bawat unit sa halagang limang milyong piso lamang, at ang natipid na pondo
ay mailalaan sa iba pang pangangailangan. Dagdag pa rito, nakabili na rin tayo
ng mahigit 400 short firearms, at mahigit 960 long firearms para sa BJMP,"
he said.
"Kaakibat po nito ang pagpapatayo at
pagpapa-kumpuni natin ng mga karagdagang bilangguan para sa mas epektibong
pagtupad sa mandato ng BJMP. Sa mga papasok po ng BJMP, huwag kayong magalala
masyado kapag makita n’yo na ang mga preso ay tila preso in name only.
Iniimbentaryo na po lahat ‘yan at iwawasto natin ang mga pasilidad ninyo para
matulungan naman kayong gampanan nang tama ang inyong trabaho," he said.
PND (js)
President Aquino joins Philippine Army in
honoring contributions of army personnel and civilian stakeholders
President Beningo S. Aquino III joined the top
brass of the Philippine Army (PA) in honoring the invaluable and excellent
contributions of its personnel and civilian stakeholders during the
commemoration of the PA’s 116th Founding Anniversary celebration held at its
headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday.
The President, who was joined by Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff
General Emmanuel Bautista and Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant
General Noel Coballes, handed out medals and plaques of merit and appreciation
to 14 individuals for their contribution towards achieving the Philippine
Army’s vision of becoming a world-class army that is a source of national pride
by 2028.
This years awardees are: Colonel Yerson Depayo –
Distinguished Service Star; LtCol Isidro Purisima – Outstanding Achievement
Medal; 2ndLt Frederick Dela Torre – Gold Cross Medal; 1stLt Marvin Liel Gammad
– Bronze Cross Medal; Cadet Col. Monica Orbe – PA-ROTC Unit Female Cadet of the
Year; Cdt. Captain Gabriel Orosco – PA-ROTC Male Cadet of the Year;
Major Miguel Maamo II – PA Model Reservist of
the Year; Staff Sergeant James Guina-ob – PA Enlisted Personnel of the Year;
William Tello, Jr. – CAFGU Active Auxiliary of the Year; Albert Job – PA Model
Civilian Employee of the Year; Maria Lourdes Rosero – PA Model Civilian
Supervisor of the Year;
Undersecretary Lesley Jean Cordero of the
Presidential Communications Operations Office – for her invaluable services
rendered to the Philippine Army as a partner and consultant; Province of Davao
Oriental – for invaluable contribution to the PA in the pursuit of peace,
socio-economic and other development activities geared towards improving the
quality of life of the people of Davao Oriental; and Il-Seop Lee, Vice President,
Special Vehicle Export, KIA Motors – for the prompt delivery of six units five
ton trucks, 60 units of field ambulances and 100 units of 1-1/4 ton trucks as
part of the PA Capability Upgrade Program.
The President also paid tribute to a special
member of the Philippine Army: Technical Sergeant Tranquilino Olarte Cabiling
who, at 112 years of age, is the oldest living army trooper on record. He was
born on July 6, 1900 and began his military service on August 3, 1922 as part
of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).
In his speech, the President thanked the
awardees for their achievements and contributions towards helping improve the
Philippine Army to be at par with other armed forces.
“Kasabay ng pwagpapasalamat ko sa inyong hanay
sa mahusay na pagganap sa inyong mga tungkulin, babatiin ko na rin po ang mga
pinarangalan ngayong hapon --- ang mga sundalong nagpakita ng kagitingan; ang
mga reservist, sibilyan, at kawani ng gobyernong nakibalikat sa pagsusulong ng
kapayapaan sa mga komunidad; ang mga LGU at pribadong institusyon na nakilahok
sa agenda ng seguridad at pag-unlad sa kani-kanilang sariling mga paraan. Sa
labing-apat po nating awardee, na hindi ko na po iisa-isahin dahil baka naman
ho gabihin na tayo dito: Isang taos-pusong pasasalamat,” the President said.
PND (rck)
President Aquino says Philippine Army has come a
long way since its inception 116 years ago
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the
giant strides the Philippine Army has taken to reach its vision of becoming a
world-class army saying that what it is now is a far-cry from its humble
beginnings more than a century ago.
Keynoting the 116th Founding Anniversary of the
Philippine Army held at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on
Wednesday, the President said that although the PA, that was created in Tejeros
in 1897, did not have the professionalism and training needed by a real
“standing army,” the collective desire of the Filipinos then until now remains
the same: to gain independence from fear and oppression.
“Kung titingnan ang hanay ng Hukbong Katihan
nang itatag ito sa Tejeros noong 1897, hindi po masasabing propesyunal na mga
sundalo ang mga kasapi nito. Hindi pa buo ang mekanismo para magsanay at
bigyang-kagamitan ang isang tunay na tinaguriang standing army. Hindi pa hinog
ang estadong popondo at kikilala sa kanila; bagkus, ang hukbo ay binuo ng mga karaniwang
Pilipino—silang mga pinagbigkis ng kolektibong adhikain: Ang kalayaan mula sa
pang-aapi, at ang kasarinlan para sa bayang Pilipinas,” the President said.
“Talaga nga pong kay layo na ng ating narating
sa loob ng isandaan at labing-anim na taon. Mula sa pagkakapunla bilang isang
kilusang militia, ngayon, tunay na propesyunal na ang ating Hukbong Katihan.
Mula sa mga sinaunang kagamitang pinondohan mula sa sariling bulsa o kinuha sa
mga nadaig na dayuhan, ngayon, nagsisimula na ring maabot ang pangarap nating
magkaroon ng isang hukbo na kayang harapin ang mga hamon ng makabagong
panahon,” he added.
He said that under the Armed Force of the
Philippines Modernization and Capability Upgrade Program, the equipment,
training and even housing benefits needed by the personnel of the PA will
improve their capabilities to defend the Philippines and its people.
“Nariyan na, halimbawa, ang mga mobility
equipment tulad ng mga troop carrier trucks, ang isang dosenang five-ton trucks
pambitbit ng inyong mga howitzer, ang bagong Night Fighting System, ang apat na
light support watercraft, ang animnapung mga field ambulance na magagamit ninyo
hindi lamang sa engkuwentro ngunit pati na rin sa pagtulong sa mga komunidad,
at marami pang ibang armas at kagamitang nakamit o malapit nang makamit sa
tulong ng AFP Modernization at Capability Upgrade Program,” the President
noted.
“Bukod sa mga kagamitang ito, kabilang din po
ang hanay ninyo sa sampunglibo at siyamnaraang kasapi ng Hukbong Sandatahan na
benepisyaryo ng Phase 1 ng ating AFP/PNP Housing Program, at sa mahigit
labing-apat na libo pang benepisyaryo mula sa AFP na nakatala na sa Phase 2 ng
programang ito,” he added.
“Lahat po ng ito ay kongkretong kumakatawan sa
ating batayang prinsipyo: Ang giting, sakripisyo, at kahandaan ninyong isubo
ang sarili sa panganib ay dapat lamang tumbasan ng karampatang kalinga at
pagkilala mula sa Estado. Matapos nga po ang maraming pagkakatisod sa nakaraan,
dala na rin ng pagkukulang sa pambansang pamamahala, ngayon, kitang-kita na ang
pagpapahalaga ng nagkakaisang bayang Pilipinas sa ating Sandatahang Lakas,” the
President said. PND (rck)
