A NATIVE of Passi City, Iloilo has emerged as the valedictorian of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Alab Kalis (Alagad ng Batas na Kakalinga sa Sinilangang Bayan) class of 2022.
Ernie Alarba Padernilla and other cadets in the top 10 of the PNPA class were presented by PNPA Director Maj. Gen. Alexander Sampaga at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame yesterday.
Graduating No. 2 is Regina Joy Belmi Caguiao of Taguig City while Precious Shermaine Domingo Lee of San Juan City, Fidel Elona Triste III of Palo, Leyte, and Geneva Limjuco Flores of San Carlos City, Pangasinan finished third, fourth and fifth of the class, respectively.
The other cadets in the top 10 are Zoe Compleza Seloterio of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo (No. 6), Neil Winston Navalta of Diffun, Quirino (No. 7); Mhar Dum-ayan Vilora of Pugo, La Union (No. 8); Collyn Mae Dimazana Panganiban of Antipolo City, Rizal (No. 9); and Alyssa Angalan Bantasan of Bauko, Mountain Province (No. 10).
All but two of the top 10 are joining the PNP. The two who are not joining the PNP are Navalta and Panganiban, who will be commissioned as officers of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), respectively.
The 226 members of the class of Alab Kalis will formally graduate from the academy this Thursday at the PNPA grounds in Silang, Cavite on Thursday, after four years of schooling.
PNP chief Dionardo Carlos congratulated the top 10 graduating cadets during a press briefing.
Carlos said Padernilla will receive the Presidential Kampilan award while Caguioa will receive the Vice Presidential Kampilan award for graduating Nos. 1 and 2 in their class.
Carlos also said 204 of the class members are set to join the PNP, 11 will join the BJMP, while 11 more will go to the BFP.
Padernilla said his first year at the PNPA, the police force’s primary source of officers, was the “most memorable” period of his cadetship.
“That was the transition period from being a civilian into a cadet. That was when the core values of the Philippine National Police Academy — justice, integrity and service – were introduced to us,” said Padernilla.
Padernilla said that was also the period when he and his fellow cadets were taught to observe and adhere to the honor code and honor system “and, of course, to exemplify the highest form of discipline and professionalism.”
“Inside the academy, we were molded physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually…so that we will be prepared the moment we graduate from the Philippine National Police Academy and become public safety leaders,” he added.
