154 cadets graduate from PNPA

By Ronron
March 27, 2008

The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) produced another batch of graduates on Thursday with 154 cadets expected to join the PNP, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the guest of honor of the graduation rites held at the PNPA compound in Silang, Cavite. The event started 10am.

In her speech, Arroyo told the new junior officers of the PNP, BJMP and BFP to veer away from politics.

“There are certain civil rights that you have to give up and that is the right to speak politically. That is part of your discipline,” Arroyo told the graduates.

In response, class valedictorian Clent Ven Inciso said: “To my classmates, let us show them that we are worthy to be called public servants and defenders of democracy. The best way to edify our group is to live by example.”

Inciso, 21, of Southern Leyte province, is one of the 127 graduates who opted to join the PNP. The other 20 will join the BJMP and the remaining seven will be with the BFP.

As Valedictorian of the class, Inciso received the Presidential Kampilan Award from Arroyo.

In an interview on Wednesday at Camp Crame, Inciso had appealed to the public to support Arroyo until she finishes her term, instead of asking her to step down.

In attendance at the graduation rites are Vice President Noli de Castro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Philippine Public Safety College President Margarita Cojuangco./DMS