PNPA topnotcher says Mamasapano incident tested cadets’ determination

SILANG, Cavite — The topnotcher of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 2015 on Thursday admitted that the bloody Mamasapano incident has tested their class' morale, determination and intention to join the police force.

In his valedictory address during the PNPA's 36th commencement exercises, Lakandula Class of 2015 topnotcher Police Cadet Dennis Yuson, Jr. looked back on the hardships that his batch endured during their four years of rigorous trainings in the academy.

"Hindi naging madali sa amin ang pagharap sa hamon ng katatagan. Marami sa amin ang pinanghinaan ng loob at tuluyang bumitaw," Yuson said at their graduation rites held at Camp General Mariano Castañeda here.

In a chance interview prior to the start of the ceremony, PNPA spokesperson Chief Inspector Richie Yatar said there were a total of 355 cadets admitted in the PNPA in 2011, but only 246 of them have successfully completed the four-year course to become part of the Lakandula Class of 2015.

"Talagang sinubok ang aming tapang ngunit hindi lahat ay nagpatinag... Sinanay kami tungo sa pagiging magaling na tagapagtupad ng batas. Sama-sama, nagkakaisa!" Yuson said in his speech.

He said the extensive trainings in the PNPA, which centered on the pursuit for academic excellence especially in courses on public safety, law and leadership as well as tactical exercises and character-building, had molded the cadets to have a sound mind in the face of adversities.

"Sa katunayan, dalawang buwan bago ang itinakdang pagtatapos na ito, ay higit pang sinubok ang aming katatagan dahil sa trahedyang naganap sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao," Yuson said, referring to the incident that cost the lives of over 60 people, including 44 PNP Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.

The incident stemmed from a SAF operation dubbed as "Oplan Exodus" aimed to arrest three high-profile terrorists including US most-wanted Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Yuson admitted that the morale of the PNPA cadets was affected by the incident, especially as six of the slain SAF troopers were their upperclass men in the PNPA.

He, however, said that the incident has further inspired them to become more committed in serving the country as what the what is now known as SAF 44 had shown.

"Sa pagsasakripisyo ng SAF 44 lalong lalo na sa aming anim na upperclassmen, ay lubos kaming nalungkot subalit hindi kami pinanghinaan ng loob na ipagpatuloy ang pinili naming propesyon," Yuson said. "Malapit man sa piligro ay hindi takot ang nangingibabaw sa amin kundi ang pag aalab na magsilbi sa bayan!"

Yuson also said that despite the incident, the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) must still be pursued.

"Ang trahedyang ito ay hindi magiging hadlang sa hangaring makamit natin ang kapayapaan. Ito ay ipinaglalaban ngunit hindi sa labanang armado, bagkus isinusulong sa usaping pangkapayapaan," he said.

Yuson also called on his fellow graduates to reject all forms of corruption, to remain united and serve the country with honesty and integrity.

A native of General Santos City, Yuson also thanked his family, especially his parents, saying that his father, a retired police officer, was the one who encouraged him to enter the PNPA.

"Kayo po ang pulis na aking iniidolo, ikaw ang inspirasyon ko sa tibay ng prinsipyo at integridad na laging pumanig sa tama at kung ano ang mas makabubuti sa kapwa," Yuson said, addressing his father.

To end his speech, Yuson said that for him, the essence of their four years in the PNPA is to become the new breed of police officers who can regain the trust and confidence to the public to the PNP.

"Mga kababayan, ako at ang iba pang kasapi ng Lakandula ay taas noong humaharap at sumasaludo sa inyo. Kayo po ang aming boss," Yuson said. "Handang-handa na kaming paglingkuran kayo at hindi namin kayo  bibiguin."

Yuson promised the public their class will live up to their batch name, Lakandula which stands for "Lahing Kayumanggi Na handang ialay sa bayan ang Dugo at Lakas."

Aside from Yuson, the Top 10 of the Lakandula Class of 2015 are as follows (in order):

Cadet Rod Kevin Talplacido of Nueva Ecija
Marlon Landong of Negros Occidental
Raymund Caguioa of Taguig City
Michael Giner of Zamboanga Sibugay
Kenneth Lumbre of Camarines Sur
Nathaniel Faulve of Muntinlupa City
Roel Bata of Pampanga
Mark Jonathan Avillano of Manila and
Julie Anne Aguilar of Antipolo City

—KBK, GMA News