(PCOO photo)
MANILA—President Benigno Aquino called on fresh graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to squarely face the challenges of being among the country’s uniformed personnel, especially with the upcoming national polls.
In his speech during the graduation ceremony of the Masundayaw Class 2016 at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite Thursday, the Chief Executive said there are lots of temptation among the uniformed personnel during election times.
“Uulitin ko ang hamon ko sa bawat pagkakataong humaharap ako sa mga guma-graduate tulad ninyo: Kung abutan kayo ng sobre kapalit ng inyong dangal, magpapabili ba kayo? Kung may napangakong promotion kapalit ng inyong pananahimik, sa harap ng katiwalian o pang-aabuso, tatanggapin ba ninyo? Kung pinapili kayo: bayan o sarili, alin ang uunahin ninyo?,” he said.
President Aquino stressed his belief that PNPA was able to mold the graduates to follow the ideals of Daang Matuwid (Straight Path).
“Sa mga darating na buwan, ang marching orders ninyo: Siguruhing ligtas, mapayapa, at tunay na sasalamin sa pasya ng ating mga Boss ang ating eleksyon. Tumalima kayo sa inyong tungkulin, at sumunod kayo sa utos ng inyong mga opisyal, pinuno, at sa buong liderato,” he said.
The President assured the graduates that they have the support of the government on the performance of their duties.
He said the government would be able to continue to push for the welfare of the uniformed personnel if the latter show trust to other civil servants.
He cited that in people’s everyday life they always face a fork road, thus, he asked the new uniformed personnel whether they would care for the people they have to serve or prolong their agony.
He said the new graduates, as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), are the frontliners of government.
“Sa pagtatapos po, gusto ko lang ipaalala sa inyo: Yung ginawa nating tama, nakinabang ang lahat; yung ginawa nating mali, lahat rin napeperwisyo. Sana po hindi magiging mahirap ang pagpili ng tama laban sa mali,” he added.