By: Lakan Allan O Emlano, Bugle Call (2009)
A class strengthened by camaraderie and unity, serving as the pioneer for the transition to a three-year cadetship program.
On October 26, 1997, it was a fine, cool Sunday morning when a group of interested young aspirants rushed to the different testing centers all over the country to try their luck to pass the PNPA Cadetship Admission Test. With great hope to pass the test, they tried to push themselves to the limit of their capacity. More or less 7,000 examinees try their luck but only the top, 1, 500 were accepted for processing that then composed the class of 2000 and class of 2001. After passing the entrance exam, the selection was done by merit system. Those who were already in-service, professionals and board passers earned extra points. Mostly then, college graduating applicants and college level applicants, comprises the class 2001, a three-year course BSPS Program. The TRANSITION Class in the making.
May 18, 1998, there are 209 young successful applicants who received instructions to report to the Academy for reception and oath-taking rites for BSPS Class of 2001. Out of 209, only 197 successful applicants have the courage to face the challenges of cadetship training that test their endurance and individuality.
As they recall, the rites started having their haircut done, then followed by the oath taking for an engagement to serve. After the Commandant of Cadets has given his order to the upperclassmen ordering to execute series of exercises as the bugle call continue to sound. Exercises like; snake-crawl, roll-like a barrel, helicopter, knee high etc. were instructed to perform in countless repetition. They are so nervous, confused, to think they are all helpless but there is no backing out, nor play except to follow the standing order. It was then where their stamina had been tested. Their will and the determination to survive were put to the test. So far, they thought it was the hardest thing they ever imagined in their cadetship, but accordingly, it was the beginning of their struggle in training- the first phase of the dim world of cadetship. After such exasperating exercises, they were ordered to proceed to the logistic office to get their supplies. They did, but in a duck-walk manner. They almost have lost their breath, in fact some of their classmates landed in medical dispensary, others end up quitting and totally forgotten their dreams.
In the course of training, they undergo the “Breaking Period”. In PNPA, it is this period where their civilian antiques and attitudes were removed. But it’s not that easy, the process is painful and challenging. They were treated as the lowest animals where their rights and privileges were temporarily taken away from them. They only do things as ordered and mostly in a fast-speed execution or commonly refer to them as “pabilisan” in just ten counts they have to fixed things under the direct supervision of their scrutinizing, meticulous upperclassmen. Every mistake they have committed, there awaits corresponding punishment either in black and white or colored, but mostly a colored one is highly practiced. Then they feel like being cornered in the middle of darkness by evil forces that invited or tempted them to quit or to push them through their dreams.
On July 8, 1998, the whole class of 2001 was divided into two battalions. At first, they all billeted at the second battalion for those who moved to the first battalion. These comprise the Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo, Foxtrot Golf and Hornets respectively. They pack up their things and move on with mix feelings of sorrow because they will depart ways from their dear 2nd battalion upperclassmen. They feel anxious and psychologically distressed at the time because they do not know that lies ahead of them in the first battalion and to the respective company they belong. It was a continuing process of adjustment and continually took place during their training, most especially of knowing the attitude of their upperclassmen.
On August 14, 1998, they have been incorporated at the field of their upperclassmen. During field drill formation and practice, marks another milestone of challenges, fear, and struggle in their cadetship. For every caution, there awaits “pampa-snappy” at the barracks. It is during this time that they become more sensitive, extra careful and alert in every execution they made most especially in the execution of the manual of arms.
As a tradition, a class can only be recognized if they can form the Silent Drill Company, to be performed during their recognition rites. With the help of their upperclassmen, Lakan Dulawan, Lakan Reyes, Lakan Dela Rama and others painstakingly teaches them the execution and formation of silent drill company. It takes more 1 ½ months of rigid practice just to form the Silent Drill Company. Before the sun climbs the crystal hall of haven and before the darkness surrounds the universe, they do practice and successfully they made it.
On February 15, 1999, they performed their Silent Drill Maiden Performance and was successful in the very eyes of their upperclassmen. They were their audience during the said performance and thus received their warm congratulations. They have seen in their eyes the satisfaction for their effort in teaching them in worth their sacrificed. At that time, they all know, the Silent Drill is the so called “the cream of the nation’s finest”.
On February 18, 1999, is their most memorable and significant event in their plebehood days- the Recognition Rites. It is the stage when the so-called animals turn into a pony and thereby bestowed the title of an “immaculate”. A transition period from brute to fully develop animals. This day is the day when the class was given honored in respect to their long agony, after passing through the strict supervision of meticulous upperclassmen. With pride and honor the BUKLOD-DIWA BSPS Class of 2001 march towards the field wearing their Shining Gala uniform and received the handshake of recognition from the upperclassmen, with Hon. Manny Villar as guest of Honor Speaker.
The day after their Recognition Rites is their Investiture Rites, wherein they have been promoted to the 3rd class rank. During this celebration, they were allowed to drink beers and smoke freely as part of socialization together with their upperclassmen.
On April 17, 1999, the class visited the Island of Corrigidor under the initiative of their instructor Atty. Noche. They ride for the first time on the navy barge. The visit was interesting and educational. It reminds them the history of the Philippines during American occupation.
On May 17, 1999, is the Reception Rites of Class 2002, it is now their turn to play the role as an upperclassman once played before. On January 31, 2000, selected from the Class 2001 composed the arrival honor contingent in celebration of the PNP day held at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Selected members of PNPA shooting club, joined the “First Laguna Police Provincial Directors Cup”, sponsor by Police Senior Superintendent Delfin G Genio Jr. The participants were composed of organic personnel and cadets belonging to class 2000 and class of 2001. Cdt Oliver, Cdt Mendoza and Cdt Caburnay successfully made it and brought the bacon home. They were awarded champion for team B category, while for Team C category which was participated by Cdt Sampaga, Cdt Reglos, Cdt Del Rosario and Cdt Cablayan banged the 2nd runner up place. On the other hand, Cdt Andrade in the over-all category got the 11th place out more than 200 participants. All of them belong to BUKLOD-DIWA Class of 2001.
On April 18, 2000, the PNPA Cadets participated in the joint AFP-PNP testimonial parade in honor of the president’s birthday, Hon. Joseph Ejercito Estrada, held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The parade ended with prizes awarded to the best marching unit. On the PNP level, First Battalion PNPA Delegates headed by Cdt Toyokan was awarded 2nd place while the 2nd Battalion PNPA delegates headed by Cdt Stander got the 1st place award.
For the second time around, On May 9, 2000, the BUKLOD-DIWA Class of 2001, tasked to receive the incoming class of 2003. Nobody expected this class 2003 to have ill-fated luck with the death of plebe that became a national issue that shaken the entire Academy since it was founded. Since then, the whole Month of May brings misfortune and misery to their cadetship training.
On June 5, 2000, they received a memorandum order from the President of PPSC thru PNPA Director Police Chief Superintendent Geoge Laus Aliño, suspending the Academic classes of BSPS Class of 2001 and 2002 pending the investigation of the death of a plebe. And on June 7, they go on break. On June 11, 2001, they reported back to the Academy for the start of the classes, but unfortunately, they were banned to the enter the Academy as per order by the newly installed OIC from PPSC Dr. Sanchez, even without the proper relief order of General Aliño. Negotiations were held with Police Senior Inspector Jude Tacorda of Class 94 as their spokesman.
Dr. Leticia Sanchez, who was the PNPA Acting Director from July 7 to 21 kicked them out of the Academy on June 12, 2000, and they decided to follow orders to avoid insubordination. They sought refuge for two weeks in the nearby Special Acton Force at Santo Domingo where most of them felt secure.
Thinking what for their hopeless on June 15, 2000, they asked for legal advice from Atty. Frank Chavez regarding their case- the suspension of the classes and the check-out order lifted by the PPSC. On the other hand, Atty. Chavez then became their counsel.
On June 16, 2000, Dr. Maximo Reyes, Chief of the NBI Medico-Legal Division, made a declaration that the cause of plebe death was due to “Hypostatic Pneumonia Secondary Traumatic Injuries”. This finding adds more pressure to the conduct of investigation by the DILG Fact-Finding Committee
Through their lawyer Atty. Frank Chavez, their class appealed on June 21, 2000, to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Alfredo Lim to withhold the memorandum order from the PPSC emanating from the directive of DILG regarding the indefinite suspension of Classes of 2001 and 2002. On June 22, 2000, first senate inquiry called by Hon. Robert Barbers, Chairman Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs and Ho. Renato Cayetano, Chairman Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
On July 10, 2000, an investigative report was submitted to then Secretary Alfredo Lim through Undersecretary Narciso Santiago of the DILG Investigative Committee spearheaded by Asst. Sec. Alexander Padilla recommending the dismissal of 136 cadets. Seventy belonged to Class 2001, 63 belonged to Class 2002 and one from Class 2003 for condoning hazing for the entire school year. The remaining cadets of Class 2002 were reprimanded and given demerits for their silence.
On July 11, 2000, A memorandum order was submitted by Sec. Alfredo Lim, to President of the Philippines Joseph Estrada, recommending the dismissal of 136 cadets of PNPA in connection with the alleged hazing death of plebe, and was approved by his Excellency Joseph Estrada on July 12 the propriety of the said report and suspended 77 cadets from Class 2001 for the duration of the year. Sec. Alfedo Lim announced Pres. Joseph Estrada’s decision on July 12 at the press conference. In short, cadets belonging to Class 2001 were not allowed to graduate that school year and were held accountable for the death of plebe.
On July 18, 2000, Senators Robert Barbers, Rene Cayetano and Rodolfo Biazon set a second Senate Inquiry. Atty. Renato Alban, Head Legal Division, National Bureau of Investigation found no legal grounds to file criminal charges pending further proof regarding the issue of hazing.
Yet, on July 20, 2000, the suspended cadets were driven out of the Camp and banned from entering the Academy’s premises. Worst of all, PPSC issued another memorandum order withholding their salaries and allowances violating Section 9, Rule VI of the Cadet Guide of Cadet Corps, Philippine Public Safety Services. They challenged the PPSC that only upon the recommendation of the PNPA Director could the suspension order be issued.
On the onset, they are presumed guilty until proven otherwise. They were unlawfully excluded from their vested rights as cadets.
On September 13, 2000, some of their classmates found jobs as security officers to earn a living for survival
On February 1, 2001, they met Sec. Jose Lina of DILG. It was a fruitful meeting. Justice began to shine on them. Their prayer for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order was finally granted on February 9, 2001. The respondents were hereby enjoined by enforcing the recommendation of the Committee. Sec. Jose Lina implemented the Resolution Order for the readmission of the dismissed cadets.
On February 13, 2001, Secretary Jose Lina issued a memorandum directing Dr. Ernesto Gimenez, in coordination with the Director PNPA, “to cause the readmission of the affected cadets and to normalize academic and non-academic activities”. Police Superintendent Dionisio Coloma, PNPA Director sent a memorandum on February 21, 2001, for the President of PPSC regarding the implementation of the readmission of dismissed and suspended Classes 2001 and 2002.
The cadets were officially reinstated on February 21, 2001, but were required to undergo general physical, medical, dental laboratory and neuro-psychiatric examinations. The order brought apprehension to them, as these examinations could be reversed to suit the decision against their reinstatement. There was a deliberate delay on the readmission. They believed legal impediments were being cast against them who had already suffered unimaginable hardships for an unjust decision.
Despite the obstacles, they graduated on December 6, 2001. Usually, graduation rites are held at Castañeda Parade Ground, but the unfavorable weather conditions turned the event into an historical and unforgettable experience for the BUKLOD-DIWA Class. For the first time, graduation rites were held indoors. So far, there are 167 cadets who happily received the handshake of congratulations from then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 158 of whom belongs to the original class of BUKLOD DIWA Class of 2001, who successfully made it out of 197 cadets who reported to the Academy during the first phase of cadetship training. 9 of whom belongs to turn back cadets, 2 from former Class 1995 Ubaldo and Geronimo, 2 from former Class 1998- Batoctoy and Balictar, former Class 1999 – Calizo, 4 from former Class 2000 Celis, Villanueva, Ibañez, and Baybayan.
The BUKLOD-DIWA Class of 2001 continues to uphold its legacy, with 161 original members still living.
Source:
PNPAAAI Records
Philippine National Police Academy
