Noy to speak at PNPA graduation rites

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is expected to deliver a major policy speech at today’s graduation of 247 cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite.

The PNPA counts among its alumni several of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed by guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its supposed splinter group the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Of the graduating cadets, 20 will be joining the SAF.

For the tragedy that left scores dead and set back the peace process with Muslim rebels, Aquino is being asked to apologize by some quarters.

But issuing an apology is something the President is avoiding for a reason, according to Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

“Now, there is a question of, ‘If that is the truth, why are you not apologizing?’ The answer is because he wants to avoid any liability arising from a confession after his term finishes in 2016,” Santiago said.

“Remember that when he is no longer President, he becomes liable to all manner of suits. He loses his immunity from suit, both civil and criminal. So he is afraid that if he apologizes, in effect, some court might consider that as a confession admissible in court,” she said.

“Therefore, he will be his own worst witness. That is why he does not want to apologize. He wants to evade any criminal or even civil liability after 2016,” she pointed out.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said the President should definitely assume responsibility for the Mamasapano fiasco.

“The President is the commander-in-chief first and foremost. It is the responsibility of the President. No one dares to act without the order of the President. Just accept the failure so that there will be no pinpointing,” Estrada said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay moderated by STAR editor Marichu Villanueva.

Meanwhile, Philippine Public Safety College president Ricardo de Leon said 226 of the PNPA graduates would join the PNP while 11 have opted to serve in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The remaining 10 graduating cadets are slated to join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The PPSC is the agency that supervises the PNPA.

“After four years of rigorous training, these cadets who passed the rigid admission and screening processes of the PNPA will be conferred with the baccalaureate degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS),” De Leon said.

Twenty of the cadets are women.

“The top cadet will receive the highest honors to be given by no less than President Aquino. All of them afterwards will take their oath as newly commissioned officers of the PNP, BFP and BJMP with the rank of Inspector, equivalent of lieutenant in the military,” he said.

This year’s top 10 graduates are Dennis Yuson Jr. of General Santos City; Rod Kevin Talplacido of Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija; Marion Landing of Cauayan, Negros Occidental; Raymund Caguioa of Taguig City, Metro Manila; Michael Giner of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Kenneth Lumbre of Nabua, Camarines Sur; Nathaniel Faulve of Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila; Roel Bata of Santa Rita, Pampanga; Mark Jonathan Avillano of Tondo, Manila and Julie Anne Aguilar of Antipolo City, Rizal.

Name new PNP chief now

At the House of Representatives, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said the President should immediately appoint a permanent replacement for Purisima to stop what he called creeping demoralization in the PNP.

He said a vacuum created by the suspension and later resignation of Purisima has caused the reported demoralization.

“The appointment of the PNP chief would definitely stabilize the national police beset with organizational problems and demoralized elements over the mishandling of the SAF operation in Mamasapano,” Gatchalian said.

He said filling vacancies in the PNP hierarchy should not be a problem with the President since the police force has a seniority list which determines who is next in line when a position becomes vacant.

“The seniority lineal list will guide the President in choosing who among the most qualified can be appointed to the position that fits his or her level of competence and track record in the police service” Gatchalian said. “All the President has to do is to choose from the list of recommended names of the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotions Board.”

He said now is the best time to appoint a new PNP chief after Aquino said on Saturday that Purisima had deliberately disobeyed his directive that he coordinate the Mamasapano operation with the PNP officer-in-charge, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. – Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez, Jose Rodel Clapano