PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. yesterday told the new members of the PNP to make their presence felt, ensure that the people feel safe and that the rule of law is working in the country.
“Be there. Let our people feel the presence of their law enforcers,” the President said during the 46th commencement exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) at Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
Marcos also urged the 206 graduating cadets of “Sinaglawin: Class of 2025 to do the honorable thing without expecting any reward and always stand up for what is right, even if no one is looking.
He acknowledged that the new graduates are entering the police force at a time when the PNP is facing many challenges, and asked them to remain steadfast and true to their mission.
He also asked them to help in cleansing and professionalizing the police force.
“You are aware that the police force faces many challenges. There are members of the police force who have lost their way and have forgotten their sworn duty,” he said.
“However, I have full faith in the talent, dedication, and ability of our National Police to cleanse, strengthen, and solidify professionalism within its ranks. You, the Sinaglawin Class of 2025, will bring change and hope to our police force. Carry out this duty with full honesty and courage. God and the Filipino nation are with you on this path,” he added.
The President said the path ahead would never be easy and there would be times when their principles and convictions would be tested.
“But whenever those days come and doubts creep in, remember who you are and why you chose this path,” he said.
“This is your chance to make a difference. Your coming this far tells me and the entire Filipino nation that you are ready and that you are prepared,” he added.
The 206 members of “Sinaglawin” are the first batch of PNPA graduates to enter the PNP as full-fledged lieutenants, following the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11279, which directly placed the PNPA graduates under the PNP and ended the practice of assigning graduates to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)
In his address, Sinaglawin class of 2025 valedictorian, Lieutenant Marc Joseph Vitto vowed he and his classmates will serve the country well, even at the cost of their lives.
“We will serve with dignity and dedication for Bagong Pilipinas,” said Vitto, referring to the Marcos administration’s brand of governance.
Vitto and the 205 other members of the class were commissioned as lieutenants in the police force.
“Even at the cost of our lives, we are not going to let you down. As we leave these gates, we do not just carry our ranks, we carry our purpose,” said Vitto.
He added that he and his classmates are already “guardians of peace” and are no longer just cadets.
“Look at your parents’ faces, see their joy, let us protect those smiles by staying true to our oath and living lives that bring honor to our name and the academy,” said Vitto.
To the PNPA, Vitto said: “Thank you for molding us. We will carry the virtues of justice, integrity and service wherever we go.”
