By: Lakan Jonas Prisle B Prete
Modest Origins
The turn of the millennium coincided with the call for changes in the public safety sector. In line with the Philippine Public Safety College’s (PPSC) desire to recruit the best young people in the land, the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) opened its doors to interested high school graduates from ages 17 to 22 for the first time during the Cadet entrance examinations on November 24, 2001. After a four-month-long deliberation, only 347 of the 20,000 applicants were granted admission to compose the PNPA Class of 2006.
May 2, 2002, marked the official start of their journey when they underwent the traditional Reception Rites in the morning and took their oath of service later in the afternoon. For the break-in period of the new Cadets, the members of the Sambigkis Class of 2003, coincidentally the last batch to undergo the three-year Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) Curriculum, acted as their immediate supervisors under the guidance of the Tactical Officers who were mostly composed of the Patnubay Class of 1995.
In June 2002, the new cadets or plebes chose “Bagsay-Lahi,” an old Cordilleran word that means “Spear,” as their class name and “The Journey” as a class song. These two symbols would stand for their aspirations as a trailblazing breed of officers eager to stamp their marks on the public service. These characteristics also proved to be the embodiments of their resoluteness in the face of myriad challenges they faced during their Cadetship and public safety and law enforcement career.
The plebes were billeted at the New Cadet Battalion Barracks or NCBN (presently the Cadet Mess Hall) which was situated at the end of the 2nd Battalion Area. Aside from being utilized as the “melting pot,” the building also served as the male sleeping quarters and lecture area during inclement weather. In front of the NCBN was the Luklukan Park, the place for rest and recreation where visitors were entertained, which was then covered by overgrown grasses. During the plebes’ break-in period, the Cadet Corps had “exchanged” barracks. Hence, 1st Battalion Cadets were occupying the 2nd Battalion barracks area.
The difficulty of the first month of training took its toll on the plebes, with only about 227 of the original 347 passers reaching the incorporation rites on June 15, 2002, due to resignations or medical reasons. Despite the addition of former 2005 members, the number was further reduced to 207 by the time of their Recognition Rites ceremony on March 22, 2003.
Academics
The entry of the Class coincided with the revision of the BSPS Curriculum and adjustments in the grading system. The passing rate was moved two notches higher from 5.0 to 7.0, based on 1.0 to 10.0 Grade Point, to encourage the Cadets to aspire for excellence. Classes were scheduled from 7:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-2:30 PM to give way to Non-Academic activities later in the afternoon. A mandatory study period from 7:30-9:30 PM was also observed by the Cadet Corps.
The class suffered a major tragedy when Cadet Fourth Class Jeoffrey Andawi died under circumstances of maltreatment on the night of January 5, 2003. Activities were suspended and the flag flew at half-mast as the Cadet Corps stood vigil during the three-day wake of their fallen classmate at the PNPA Chapel. On January 8, all the members of the Corps – the brotherhood of which Cadet Andawi will always be a part of, gave him a final salute. He was buried at Heaven’s Garden in Loakan, Baguio City.
Silent Drill Company
The Class 2006 version of the Silent Drill was a modification of the usual size and formations that had been passed on by the upperclassmen since its initial conception. This time, it had only two platoons with an 18-man frontage. During its maiden presentation on March 22, 2003, its performance initially consisted of fewer formations due to the short preparation.
From its unassuming start, the Silent Drill Company (SDC) of Class 2006 went on to perform before massive crowds, the high officials of the land and foreign dignitaries under the guidance of their Commandant of Cadets Police Superintendent Ferdinand Ampil. The most memorable performance was during the inauguration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Quirino Grandstand on June 30, 2004. The SDC of the Class performed for two consecutive Alumni Homecoming, a testament to its level of performance.
Slow Drill Platoon
Class 2006 began practicing the Slow Drill on December 15, 2003, with exercises designed to build strength and endurance to carry the ten-pound M1 Garand rifle during the 45-minute performance. From an initial strength of 75 aspirants, the number gradually decreased to the final number of 38. Eventually, those who persevered had their maiden performance on November 19, 2004, with the PPSC President as the special guest. The Slow Drill Platoon also performed during the Alumni Homecoming on March 13, 2005, in front of the long blue line of the officers of the land.
Changing Times
The leadership of the Academy changed for the fourth time in two years when Police Chief Superintendent German B. Doria took over from Police Senior Superintendent Jose Antonio C. Salvacion on September 5, 2004. During the same period, Police Superintendent Hubert B. Tuzon took over the helm of the Cadet Affairs Office followed by PSSUPT Cesar Hawthorne R. Binag who led as the Commandant of Cadets until the class graduated.
In the summer of 2005, PSSUPT Clarence V. Guinto took over the helm of the Academic Affairs Office and supervised the selection of Bureaus of the graduating Class 2006 Cadets. Out of 179 members, 165 joined the Philippine National Police, nine (9) selected the Bureau of Fire Protection and five (5) opted to join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
The journey may have been long and arduous, but the members of the class showed unmatched resoluteness in facing adversities during their historic stay in the academy. From the shifting academic landscape to the rapid turnover of personnel, the dizzying physical transformation of the institution and the political upheavals happening outside its walls, they stood their ground and came out with heads unbowed. Finally, March 29, 2006, marked a new chapter as the members of the class walked out of the gates of the academy proudly wearing their newly-minted ranks of Inspector (Lieutenant).
Class Valedictorian Cadet Benjamin D. Balais summed it up perfectly in his valedictory address:
“Four years ago, I chose to let go of my civilian life and respond to the call of duty and sacrifice. I will be loyal to the oath of service and remain steadfast in upholding the Philippine Constitution. As the Bible says, ‘Everyone must obey state authorities because no authority exists without God’s permission.’ To the Almighty, my good Shepherd, to the Filipino taxpayer, we thank you for paying our tuition and all our bills in the Academy. We owe you public service and our loyalty.”
Outside the Walls
True to its name, Bagsay-Lahi continued to make unprecedented strides in the tri-Bureau. Seven members of the class have already been honored with the coveted Lakan Distinguished Award for their exceptional administrative or operational accomplishments. The recipients so far are PLTCOL Roland M. Kingat (CY 2018), PLTCOL Benson D. Pimentel (CY 2019 and CY 2022), PLTCOL Josemarie R. Simangan (CY 2020), JSUPT Christopher R. Penilla and FSUPT Emmanuel G. Ricafort (CY 2021), and PLTCOL Benjamin D. Balais and PLTCOL Mark Anthony Darocca (CY 2022).
The BFP group achieved major milestones in 2024 by having three of its members, FSSUPT Arlene Abuan-Balais, FSSUPT Ivy Pajarillo-Trono and FSSUPT Georgian D. Pascua, promoted to the third level ahead of their contemporaries. FSSUPT Abuan-Balais and FSUPT Roxanne Solano-Parado have also been designated as provincial fire marshals of Laguna and Ilocos Norte, respectively.
Each Bureau is also equally represented by having a member pass the Bar Examinations, namely JSUPT Ricky Heart Pegalan of the BJMP (2012), PLTCOL Mariano C. Lukban of the PNP (2017), FSSUPT Georgian DM Pascua of the BFP (2023).
Three members heed the call of international calling within a year as the United Nations Police (UNPOL), they are, PLTCOL Joel A Biñas and PLTCOL Joewie B Lucas at UNMIL (Liberia), while PLTCOL Desirie Marcos-Limbo at UNMISS (South Sudan) who was awarded as the Officer of the Year by the International Association of Women Police (IAWP).
In the early days of their careers, tragedy cast a long shadow over the Bagsay-Lahi Class when some of their brothers fell in the line of duty. On December 20, 2006, PSINSP Enrico B. Bamba, Chief of Police of San Luis, Agusan del Sur, was killed by a landmine planted by the New People’s Army (NPA) while conducting police-community relations activities in the far-flung barangay of Robaco. On the morning of April 24, 2007, PSINSP Harold M. Gaces of the SAF 1st Special Action Battalion died in an encounter with the NPA terrorists after responding to reported election-related incidents in Mandaon, Masbate. A few months later on October 31, 2007, PSINSP Franco L. Andes of the Regional Mobile Group-5 succumbed to his injuries during a firefight against the same NPA terrorists in Burias Island, Masbate.
On January 25, 2015, PMAJ Ryan B. Pabalinas led a 36-man platoon from the SAF 5th Special Action Battalion in a daring operation to arrest wanted international terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir, also known as Marwan, at the cost of his own life. While the 84th Special Action Company (Seaborne) carried the assault on Marwan’s position, the 5th SAB personnel held their position against enemy reinforcements for a day until they were overwhelmed by the much larger force. For his unparalleled heroism, PMAJ Pabalinas was awarded the Medal of Valor (Kagitingan) on April 17, 2018, together with his 43 fallen comrades. A building at the PNPA is also named in his honor. Every loss was a heavy blow to the Class – a reminder of the risks they face each day in the pursuit of justice. Yet, the Class stands shoulder to shoulder, honoring their fallen comrade with relentless courage and unwavering determination.
As the years passed, various awards and recognitions have been given to many members of the Class not just from the PNP, BJMP and BFP, but also from other government agencies, private sectors and the AFP, for their different local and national accomplishments. In 2024, PLTCOL Maximo C. Sumeg-ang, Jr. became the first PNP officer to be conferred the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award by the Civil Service Commission for his exceptional contributions resulting from an idea or performance as a member of the Baguio City Contact Tracing Team. The Baguio City contact tracing model in the formulation and implementation of a prompt, proactive, and collaborative approach in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic served as the model for similar programs by other local government units in the country. These accolades are testaments to the unwavering commitment and dedication of the Bagsay-Lahi Class to public service.
Apart from the different administrative and operational contributions in the Tri-Bureau Service, the Class continues to do Outreach Programs nationwide, especially during times of calamities. Likewise, the individual initiatives of each member of the Class in their respective assignments for projects like facility development, among others, should also be well noted.
Along the way, the Class has come across some individuals who share the same compassion and commitment to public service who have joined as adopted and honorary members.
Present Strength
Presently, there are 161 members of the class still active in the service (149 in the PNP, seven in the BFP and five in the BJMP). From their humble beginnings to the challenges—both personal and institutional— they faced, they forged a path defined by fortitude and commitment to public service.
