By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Rodrigo Duterte reminded the new graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) that they are government workers paid by the people who have “something to give to the country.”
In his speech during the 43rd PNPA Commencement Exercises in Silang, Cavite on April 21, he told the new public servants not to go beyond the rule of law as they took oath as government personnel.
“I would like to express to you now na iyong tama lang – do not go out of your legal parameters. Iyong tama lang na trabaho ng pulis, pati alam niya [dapat] ang obligasyon sa taumbayan,” Duterte said.
“We do not have any superiority with anybody. All of us are government workers and are expected, really, to work for the people,” he added.
The Commander-in-Chief likened police personnel to “utility boys” who immediately respond to disasters and calamities.
Despite the reported issues faced by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other uniformed personnel, Duterte expressed gratitude to the PNP and its allied services who have played a “key role in maintaining peace and order.”
“Ako, performance of duty, I will defend you hanggang kamatayan… Mahal ko kayo. Mahal ko ang pulis. Performance of duty, wala ka nang iisipin. Ganoon ako. Kapag naipit ang pulis, ako na ang magsasabing ako ang nag-utos niyan,” he said.
“I commend you for keeping true to your mission to keep citizens safe amidst the recent struggles and uncertainties that the world is facing,” he added.
Peaceful elections
In the same event, the President reiterated having no preference in the upcoming May 9 elections to be neutral and be “freed” from any suspicion.
He also vowed for the conduct of honest and fair elections as he called on the new graduates “to be key players in the modernization of the force.”
“You must maintain professionalism for you will soon take over leadership and will be the role models of the future Filipino law enforcers,” he said.
“I hope that the fruits of our efforts to build a safe and resilient nation will be genuinely seen and felt by our kababayans at the soonest possible time,” he added.
A total of 229 cadets of the ALAB-KALIS (Alagad ng Batas na Kakalinga Sa Sinilangang Bayan) Class of 2022 will soon join the country’s forces, including 201 males and 28 females.
Duterte said the batch valedictorian and Presidential Kampilan recipient P/Cdt Ernie Padernilla is set to receive a house and lot from one of the government’s housing projects. –ag
