Change of command

The day before the Change of Command ceremony of the Cadet Corps of the Philippine National Police Academy, Cadet Viajar handed me a flower, a gerbera for my hair. I felt sad knowing that red-maroon gerbera would be the last I would receive from a member of Class 2011. 

I counted its petals and remembered how, when I was single, I would pick flowers from anywhere and put them in my hair or pluck out the petals and say, “He loves me… he loves me not.” But the petals for this gerbera totalled 45. How could I possibly pluck the gerbera bare naked 45 times, asking “Does Masaligan Class love me or love me not?” I love them and that’s what matters to me.

I came up with messages for the class during the Change of Command, not 45 to commemorate the petals but a few meaningful ones. For petal one: I wished when I saw them all running around the field with garrands that they wouldn’t have to wake up at 3 a.m. every day. Wouldn’t it be pleasant to lie down longer on bunk beds with aching muscles? Everytime their teachers complained to me about sleeping in the classroom by 9 a.m., I smiled inside and gave their commandant the suggestion that the cadets wake up at 4 a.m. instead; an hour’s sleep would add to their alertness. How I wished my many roses didn’t lose their petals as I plucked, and prayed, that none of them would be turned back.

I reminded them, as I wrote in my book Bugle Call, that maintenance of peace and order could be achieved through laws handed down by tradition like the Pechen, a form of justice system wherein a negotiator is called to be the intermediary between the offended and the offender of the Mountain Province. Cadets Kiat-ong, Dogao, Alipit and Fomocod should know this aside from a whiff of gin like their grandfathers. Native types of justice systems are effective. They settle disputes faster than our local courts. How I wish they’d remember the Pechen solution for their own security and as a form of respect for those assigned in the Mountain Province like Cadets Panaguiton, Abeya and Uminyad.

I also reminded Cadets Lañada, Mamalinta and Lagnayo, to practice the Pikiti Tirsia Lakan-Kali for self-defense; and Cadets Tenorio and Cajepe to further improve their shooting abilities and practice their firing skills because they do so well at it. To my cheerful dearest Jethro Mipaña, I told him to pray to our Lady of Guadalupe; she did wonders for Mipaña, Beril and Tungala as I asked her for guidance as well. I warned Escaño, Taltado and Ceniza to keep their instincts sharp and their word of honor firm. And to all my graduates, to never give up and give their best even if it goes unrecognized. Work hard and love a little less. It’s advisable for lonely nights. Homesickness has no place in an officers’ quarters.

I continued my litany of advice. I couldn’t believe I was advising my disciplined young men and women whom I saw rolling on the field, dirty with mud but decidedly committed in staying at the PNPA as plebes! I reiterated that partnership between themselves and the community is not solely their responsibility. Crime can be minimized with cooperative efforts and assistance of all stakeholders. It brings great benefits while learning to be responsive to the needs of the individual citizens banking on mutual trust and understanding. 

How fortunate I am to have witnessed their transition from civilian antics to cadetship rigidity. In all these years of transition, I became attached to all my cadets like a mother to her children. Their parents know how disciplined their children have become. They rise early, study hard, run, march, eat, endure drills under the heat or endure bad weather as they make history on hallowed grounds. Their lives are dedicated to a career of perpetual constraint. “How he’s grown up...” is a parent’s common lament with a tear seeing their child wear an issued uniform and catching a glimpse of him at Sunday Mass.

I remember a police officer told me, “It is unfortunate that people are unaware of the serious problems of policemen, that affect our morale, discipline and performance. There are those who commit misdemeanor but the greater majority are men of integrity who indulge in self-denial for the sake of service and duty.” Such fine words to remember for my graduating class, which is dominated by female honorees.

First Honor Cadet Aleli Buaquen deserves recognition. Guided by her dad at an early age, she grew crops and raised livestock with him to sell. Cadet Beverlie Allapitan remained focused on her ambition to become a police officer. Her persistence broke down her dad’s resistance and he agreed. Cadet Cherifer Bayaga has gifted her dad, a tricycle driver, with honors like Cadet Joy Anne Creus. Cadet Carizza Matel is the Brigade Finance Officer and is the highest ranking female cadet officer in the PNPA Corps of Cadets. Cadet Catherine Cas was a teacher by professor before she was admitted in the Academy. Cadet Rowena Solano’s father is a policeman. Her mother bakes delicacies for canteens. She chose to be like him.

For an insight into the boys with academic honors, Cadet Ron Quijote has been a consistent dean’s lister at the academy and a Regimental Personnel deserving a separate barracks with other Cadet Administrative Officers. Cadet Maynard Pascual had to stop schooling after his elementary years due to financial problems. Fatherless, he worked at a welding shop at night and studied at day time. He was accelerated from first year to fourth year high school, graduating first honorable mention. What heights he pursued, graduating cum laude in Criminology. Like Pascual, Cadet Neilmar Retana was in his fifth year course in college. Unfortunately, his father suffered from Parkinson’s disease. Living on debts and loans, Retana reciprocated the sacrifices of his parents enrolled at PNPA and became the Regimental Commander of the Cadet Corps. Another Dean’s Lister, Cadet Johnnyboy Itcay of Lanao Del Norte, is 2011 Class President. God made him serve Him through law enforcement after a week in a seminary!

Every graduating class that I bid goodbye to saddens me, as I wonder where will Cadet Aniversario and Baybayan go? Where will Cadets Juanico, Caballes and Flores be assigned? I always become sentimental and afraid for my cadets because of the environment and the danger that they will face once out of the confines of the Academy. But all 260 cadets — “Officers-to-be” — are terribly eager to face any difficulties. With the best of intentions, they will succeed.

I saw in them the meaning of youthful sacrifice for the citizens’ protection in every Change of Command where I am the honouree. It is a ceremony where the graduating class hands over the reign of leadership to the incoming First Class. This ceremony, first practiced 32 years ago, celebrates the longevity and perpetuity of the ideals that brought about the Philippine National Police Academy’s birth, a noble institution that espouses justice, integrity and service. My prayers to the Masaligan Class and my snappy salute to all of them!