NEW graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy who are going to serve the government and the people recently got their marching orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

And the order is very much connected to the technology that the young generation like the new PNPA graduates are familiar with.

Last week, President Marcos called on the PNPA Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 to leverage on available digital and information technology (IT) to combat crime, serve the people, and carry out innovation related to their service.

“I challenge you to leverage that technology that you are familiar with as aids in protecting and serving our people, especially in battling cybercrime,” President Marcos said during the 45th Philippine National Police Academy Commencement Exercises in Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.

“I ask you to embrace smart policing, fire prevention, and penology. There is still no substitute for pounding the streets. When it comes to assuring the people, analog will always beat digital,” he said.

The fight against crime, he said, is now a potent mix of gadgets and war rooms, and old-fashioned work by gritty police officers.

And to those who will join the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the President said he expects them to maximize IT to improve their service deliveries while minimizing cost.

BFP officers should not be content with the current fire response time, but instead strive to make it faster, he said, stressing those who will serve in BJMP should not crow about jail improvements. Instead, they should come up with ways to lessen prison congestion, he added.

As he congratulated members of the 2024 “Layag-Diwa” Class, he urged them to let PNPA’s core values of Justice, Integrity, Service, “be the wind that propels you forward.”

The chief executive also encouraged the graduates to put the nation above themselves, noting such values and principles define true public servants.

“Taumbayan bago ang sarili. ‘Yan din ang mithiin ng Bagong Pilipinas. Isang lipunang patas. Isang bayang bawat mamamayan ay ligtas,” he said.

“Dalhin n’yo ang inyong mga sarili kasama na rin ang bayan sa isang masaganang bukas na hinahangad nating lahat,” he added.

Of the 223 graduating PNPA cadets, 199 will serve the Philippine National Police (PNP), 12 will be enlisted at the BJMP and another 12 will join the BFP.

The President also reminded the new graduates to make the Filipino people proud of their services just like how they made their parents and friends proud of their achievements.

“We proudly see you today as you parade as students for the last time. Tomorrow, it is the people’s turn to welcome you on your first duty and patrol. Make them proud as you have made your parents, your loved ones, and friends proud of you today,” he said.

Diplomas were presented to the graduates, including the Presidential Kampilan Award or sword, symbolizing the eager desire to protect the motherland to Class Valedictorian Police Cadet Ma. Camille Cabungcal Cabasis of Lian, Batangas.

The graduates were urged to also impress the country and the people similar to how they impressed their mentors in the police academy when they hurdled every challenge and passed every test that prepared them for the hard work ahead.

“Earn their respect the way you have earned the respect of your classmates during your four crucible years in this academy. You could not have chosen a more fitting name than “Layag-Diwa” in capturing your class’ ethos and energy,” President Marcos said.

“For each one of you, let “Layag-Diwa” be your chart, your compass, in reaching your destiny. Let what you have learned in this school take you as fast and as far as your talent will,” the chief executive added.

President Marcos also reminded the graduating police cadets to always remember their career should not be measured by the speed of how they moved up the ranks alone, but by the quality of services they provide to the country and the Filipino people.

He said the service they have consecrated to “is not a race to collect insignia nor accumulate prized assignments,” but to do as much good as often to as many without expecting any reward in return “because service itself is our reward.”

The chief executive urged the police graduates to always remember their school’s core values of Justice, Integrity, Service “and nothing else, be the wind that propels you on.”

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