A 23-year-old female criminology graduate from Dagupan City topped the 2026 Philippine National Police Entrance Examination, outperforming more than 40,000 examinees nationwide.

Christine Mirialian Garcia ranked first among more than 9,000 successful examinees. She said she was overwhelmed after learning about the result.

"Pagtingin ko sa cellphone ko, hala, ba't andaming chat. Hindi ako makapaniwala kaya sabi ko, 'Thank you, Lord,'" she said.

Garcia grew up in Barangay Caranglaan, Dagupan City, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology in 2025.

She said her dream of becoming a police officer was inspired not only by her desire to help her family but also by the crime and mystery novels she enjoys reading.

Her latest achievement adds to a string of academic successes. Garcia passed the Criminologist Licensure Examination in February 2026 and placed second in the region in the Civil Service Professional Examination in March. She passed all three examinations on her first attempt.

Her family expressed pride in her accomplishments and encouraged her to continue pursuing her goals.

"Pagbutihin pa niya, magsipag siya para lahat ng pangarap niya matupad niya. Pati pangarap ng kuya ko matupad niya. Proud po talaga ako," Ronalyn Mauricio, her aunt, said.

Garcia thanked the people who continued believing in her even when she doubted herself.

"Thank you sa tiwala. Kahit na sa sarili ko wala akong tiwala, lagi kayong nariyan na nagtitiwala sa akin na kaya ko," she said.

Although Garcia plans to join the Philippine National Police in the future, she said she first wants to teach aspiring law enforcers and share what she has learned.

"Simula college, 'yung mga friends ko sa akin nagpapaturo. Gusto kong mag-share ng knowledge ko, hindi 'yung akin lang," she said.