OFW domestic helper’s son from Negros tops PNPA class of 2018

SILANG, Cavite - A son of an overseas Filipino worker emerged on top of his class at the Philippine National Police Academy set to graduate on Wednesday.

The class valedictorian, Police Cadet Fritz John Napalinga Vallador, 24, from Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, will receive the Presidential Kampilan Award from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Vallador’s mother, who is working as a domestic helper in Spain, will not be able to join the graduation rites at Camp General Mariano Castañeda.

“My father po is, hindi ko po siya nakita since birth pero may tumayo naman pong papa... Kahit wala po akong tatay, nandito ako ngayon sa harapan niyo nagsumikap po na kahit ako'y walang itay, eh naabot ko po 'yung tugatog ng tagumpay na ‘to,” Vallador said.

While he was saddened that his mother, Ana Marie, will be missing the special day, Vallador said his aunt who stood as his mother will be present in his graduation.

“I’m saddened also na hindi po makakarating 'yung aking ina, pero nagpaliwanag naman po siya sa akin. At 'yung tita ko po, 'yung nagtayong nanay sa akin simula Grade 5 hanggang ngayon, ay siya po muna ang maghahalili muna at magiging proxy ng mama ko,” Vallador said.

His foster mother, Nelia Deocares, said Vallador’s biological mother is her best friend.

“Bilang anak anakan si Fritz ay respectful mapagmahal sa pamilya, responsible na bata tapos diligent talaga sa pagaaral yun ang nakatatak sa kanya... handang magsacrifice,” Deocares said.

The PNPA Class Maragtas (Magiting At Responsableng Alagad ng Batas na Gagabay sa Transpormasyong Alay sa Bayang Sinilangan) is composed of 106 cadets—79 male and 27 female—who will be appointed as commissioned officers in their respective service bureaus by the President.

Out of the 106 cadets, 76 will be joining the PNP, 13 will serve in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and 17 in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Meanwhile, Police Cadet Francis Pang-ay Fagkang, 24, from Sacasacan, Sadanga, Mt. Province, will be graduating in second place. He will receive the Vice Presidential Kampilan Award and a plaque of merit from Vice President Leni Robredo.

Graduating third is Police Cadet Jess Torres Agustin, from Anchokey, Kabayan, Benguet. He will receive the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Kampilan Award and plaque of merit.

Meanwhile, the other graduating cadets who are in the top 10 are the following:

• Police Cadet Jesstony Fabro Asanion from Barangay Bulawon, Sta. Cruz, Zambales (4th);
• Fire Cadet Myrick Aquino Paldingan from Mankayan, Benguet (5th);
• Police Cadet Christian Villacarlos Juego from Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite (6th);
• Police Cadet Cherry Mae Lumogda Montaño from Barangay Fatima, General Santos City (7th);
• Police Cadet Stephen Torrevillas Abrica from Basak, San Nicolas, Cebu City (8th);
• Jail Cadet Arjay Marcaida Cuasay from Barangay Marcelo, Parañaque City (9th); and
• Police Cadet Maricar Sison Ansus from Barangay Salvacion, Bacon, Sorsogon City (10th).

PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa earlier urged the graduating cadets to join their elite unit, the Special Action Force. —KG/RSJ, GMA News