Arroyo arrives in Cavite for PNPA graduation rites

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrived at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang town in Cavite province Thursday morning for its graduation rites. Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr reported that President Arroyo, who wore red, was welcomed by officials led by Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr. Other officials who welcomed her included Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Philippine Public Safety College president Margarita Cojuangco, and PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr On Wednesday, the PNP said that of the 154 graduates of PNPA Class 2008, 127 are joining the PNP, while 27 will be commissioned into the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The 127 newest members of the PNP Officer Corps, 27 of whom are females, will be appointed into the police service with the initial rank of Police Inspector in Permanent Status. "Your responsibility to lead comes with the rank that you hold. But rank alone as a sole basis of leadership is weak. Effective leadership must be founded on professional competence, and your ability to inspire others and lead by example," Razon emphasized to the 127 new officers during the induction ceremonies at Camp Crame. In the affair, the 127 new Police Inspectors were issued their PNP Badge, service firearm, and Police Individual Equipment. In the same ceremony, Razon released the first individual paychecks of the new police officers amounting to P21,876.38, representing Salary and Allowances for the period March 27-April 30, 2008. After the graduation rites, the PNPA Class 2008 will be allowed a 30-day academic break, afterwhich they will report for duty on April 28 to undergo a 30-day orientation training on PNP administration and operations before they are sent to their new assignments in the field. - GMANews.TV