The PNPA 45th Commencement Exercises
After four long years of rigorous training both physically and academically, within the hallowed grounds of the Philippine National Police Academy, the PNPA Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 have finally come to the most awaited moment of their lives—their graduation ceremony. On April 19, 2024, the graduating class were joined by select high-ranking government officials, including his Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, together with other dignitaries and some of the cadets’ relatives during the PNPA 45th Commencement Exercises at Camp General Mariano N Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
As the crowd gradually filled the PNPA grandstand to witness the memorable and remarkable celebration of success and achievements, the graduating class snappily stood in attention with pride and honor, unfazed with the scorching heat of the sun, ready to embark on the duties and responsibilities of becoming full-fledged commissioned officers. The country’s future leaders resiliently displayed their grit and sheer determination as they are about to begin their journey in public service outside the academy, for God, country and the Filipino people.
The PNPA Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 is composed of 223 cadets, consisting of 182 males and 41 females. Its Class name “Layag-Diwa”, stands for “Lingkod-bayang may Adhikaing buksan ang bagong Yugto At Gabayan ang bagong henerasyon na may Dangal, Integridad, at Walang Alinlangan.” It is the last and final batch of PNPA graduates to be assigned in the country’s Tri-Bureau Service, comprising of PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Police Cadet Ma. Camille Cabasis, from Lian, Batangas, was honored as the class valedictorian. She received the Presidential Kampilan Award and the PNP Chief Kampilan Award; as well as the Plaque of Merit for Graduating No. 1, Best in Laws and Jurisprudence, and Best in Police Administration. Back in her pre-academy years, she graduated Cum Laude with the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology, and was the Regional Topnotcher of the Criminologist Licensure Examination in December 2019.
The other class topnotchers were Jail Cadet Joemar Berjuela Saldavia (Top 2) from Zamboanga Del Norte, who received the Vice Presidential Kampilan Award, CBJMP Kampilan Award and Best in Public Safety Administration; Police Cadet Vince Jamsid Sulaiman Sapii (Top 3) from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur (SILG Kampilan Awardee); Police Cadet Mark Ferd Aniñon Barte (Top 4) from Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Police Cadet Mark Anrue Regala Peña (Top 5) from Tondo, Manila; Fire Cadet Mary Ranelie Ladrillo Salga (Top 6) from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Fire Cadet Brenna Mae Nacional (Top 7) from Calbiga, Western Samar; Police Cadet Bernard Carlos Dawayen (Top 8) from Mountain Province; Police Cadet John Rade Caballero (Top 9) from Sipaway Island, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; and Police Cadet Emerson Liwag Mallorca (Top 10) from Caloocan City.
Other awardees were Police Cadet Mark Jordan Macarrubbo Martinez from Sta Teresita, Cagayan Valley, who received the Leadership Kampilan Award; Police Cadet Ralden Habaradas Gumacal from Pavi, Iloilo City (NAPOLCOM Kampilan Awardee); Police Cadet Jayson Gabral Banal from San Luis, Aurora (Athletic Kampilan Awardee); and Police Cadet Art Lorenz Floresca Francisco from San Jacinto, Pangasinan.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who served as the Commencement’s Guest of Honor and Speaker, challenged the graduating cadets to deeply imbibe the academy’s core values in delivering outstanding public service. Likewise, he also urged the incoming Lieutenants to effectively complement traditional policing methods with modern technology to better serve and protect the people, especially in battling against cybercrime.
“To the members of the ‘Layag-Diwa’ Class: Let your school’s core values of justice, integrity and service, and nothing else, be the wind that propels you on,” he said.
“The fight against crime is now a potent mix of gadgets and war rooms, and old-fashioned grunt work by gritty police officers. To those who will join BFP and BJMP, I expect you to maximize IT [information technology] to improve your service deliveries, while minimizing costs,” PBBM added.
With this year’s theme: “Hinubog ng Tamang Edukasyon at Pagsasanay Upang Harapin ang Hamon ng Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos encouraged the entire class towards becoming productive public servants, who are selfless, courageous and duty-bound commissioned officers. “Sa mga kasapi ng ‘Layag-Diwa,’ isang makabuluhang paglalakbay. Dalhin ninyo hindi lang ang inyong mga sarili, pero kasama na rin ang bayan sa isang masaganang bukas na ating hinahangad,” he concluded.
