Duterte to PNPA grads: Do right, ensure clean elections

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday urged the new graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to stay within their legal limits in the performance of their duties and to ensure that the upcoming elections will be clean and honest.

Speaking during the 43rd PNPA commencement exercises at Camp Castañeda in Cavite, Duterte reminded members of the “Alab-Kalis” class of 2022 that they are government workers and that “each and everyone has something to give to the country.”

“There’s just one thing that I hope you will not forget. You took your oath of office. I tell you, whether it’s legal or whatever, administrative or otherwise, you’re in the course of your duty, I would like to express to you now that you have to do only what is right,” the President said in mixed English and Filipino.

“Do not go out of your legal parameters. Iyong tama lang na trabaho ng pulis pati alam niya ang obligasyon sa taong-bayan (Do only what a police officer is supposed to do and his obligations to the people),” he added.

Duterte noted that government workers “do not have any superiority with anybody” and are supposed to work for the people. He admitted that the wrongdoings of some law enforcers are giving the police force a negative image.

“Because in the light of recent incidents, I do not want to dwell on it, but I said there are many occasions where I have problems with the police. Not everyone, there’s only a few of them but the image that they create is further buttressed by the actions of a few,” he said.

“But remember what I said: stick to what is right, do not go beyond that, otherwise we would have more problems.”

Clean and safe elections

Duterte said the graduation ceremony was held during a crucial juncture in the country’s history as Filipinos are preparing for the upcoming elections.

“I enjoin you as members of the PNP (Philippine National Police) to ensure clean and safe elections and adhere to the value of professionalism and non-partisanship,” he said.

“I assure everybody there will always be honest and clean elections,” he added.

Duterte reiterated that he would remain neutral on the presidential race and that the government would implement the Alunan doctrine, wherein a politician is deemed as having a private army if he or she has more than two armed bodyguards. He called on the PNPA graduates to stick to what is legal, especially if they are tasked to secure politicians.

He also urged the new police graduates to sustain their courage, determination and passion as they perform their duties as the newest officers of the PNP, fire and jail bureaus. He also thanked the police force for being on the forefront in the fight against illegal drugs, crimes and terrorism.

The President reiterated that he is ready to defend law enforcers who would face charges that are related to the performance of their duties.

“Even if I am already retired, if you want my help, especially if you face charges because of an operation, I am just here,” he added.

Duterte also joked about having two wives and advised the graduates not to emulate him if they want a financially stable lifestyle.

Meanwhile, the top graduate of the PNPA has vowed to repay the nation for his free education by upholding the highest standards of service to the country.

Police Inspector Ernie Padernilla said he and his fellow graduates from the Alab-Kalis Class of 2022 would never waver in their sworn duty to serve the public.

“We will repay the resources you provided to us during our cadetship with excellence and dedication to the oath we swore to uphold,” he said in his speech during the PNPA’s commencement exercise in Silang, Cavite.

Padernilla said people should expect the highest standards of justice, integrity and service from their class.

“This is our chance as new public safety leaders to give our (best) for our country. We will never forget what the PNPA instilled in us,” the 25-year-old native of Passi City in Iloilo added.

Padernilla, son of a farmer and housewife, is among the 229 graduates of Class 2022 who will join the attached agencies of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Padernilla and 205 of his classmates will join the Philippine National Police, while 12 have opted to enter the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and 11 the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Padernilla was already a licensed criminologist when he enrolled in the PNPA as he felt he had to learn and train more as a law enforcer.

“In order to absorb them, I need to lower my ego and pride because we can’t learn anything new if we constantly resist and complain,” he said.

For Padernilla, having degrees, titles and positions does not mean an end to one’s learning process.

“We must be humble and accept the new challenge of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” he said.

Padernilla thanked his parents for not giving up on him despite the hardships they had to endure.

He also expressed his gratitude to President Duterte who was the guest of honor and speaker at their graduation.

“Our generation is so fortunate to have the chance to have a leader and father we can look up to as good example of a patriot,” Padernilla said in Filipino.