By: Lakan Gregory Bogñalbal (Bugle Call, 2009)
Out of more than 12,000 applicants, 150 became members of the Sandigan Class of 1994, the last Class that graduated in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna. They came from different regions, from all walks of life, speaking different dialects and with different personalities. Upon stepping into the portals of the Academy, they became one and united in everything they did.
On May 4, 1992, is their Reception Day, unaware of the challenges that awaited them. All they knew was that they had made the right decision in joining the Academy. They considered themselves fortunate to be cadets—government scholars with the promise of becoming Police Inspectors after two years. However, they had no idea of the hardships that lay ahead. They thought they would be treated like princess until they faced their upperclassmen. The constant yelling rattled them, and they were punished for every mistake. A single thought consumed their minds: Why were our seniors so cruel? It seemed as though the upperclassmen were always right, while the new cadets struggled to meet their strict standards. Soon, they realized their status as plebes—treated as the lowest of the low. They relied on prayers, memories of their loved ones, and their duty to the Filipino people to muster the strength to endure.
Finally, Incorporation Day arrived- the day when the new cadets officially joined the ranks of the Academy, a euphemism of more challenges!
They moved into the barracks alongside their upperclassmen. Their only goal was survival. Days were spent marching to and from classrooms, spending eight hours a day listening to instructors. Others managed to doze off awakened by the sights of relief that echoed whenever class calls sounded.
As a long-standing tradition, the upperclassmen taught them the Silent Drill Exhibition, demanding precision and discipline in every movement. Every step was practiced tirelessly to meet expectations. As training intensified, their numbers dwindled. Cadetship became a relentless battle, not just against physical exhaustion but against their own doubts and limitations.
On October 31, 1992, the long-awaited Recognition Day arrived—the moment every underclassman dreamed of. For the first time, they controlled their emotions as their mentors embraced and shook their hands warmly. Some smiled, others laughed, and many could not hold back their tears as their upperclassmen inspired them with words of wisdom. But despite this milestone, their journey was far from over. The road ahead for the Sandigan Class remained long and demanding.
On April 12, 1993, they were officially proclaimed Lakans, marking a new phase in their cadet life. With their newfound status, they welcomed their own underclassmen and passed on the lessons they had learned during their first year. Just days later, on April 20, 1993, their upperclassmen graduated, leaving them to take full responsibility for running the Cadet Corps. At first, they felt the absence of their mentors, but as the ruling class, they quickly adapted to the pressure, relying on one another to lead.
Their first semester as Lakans was a time of transition. Leadership at the Academy changed, with a new Director (formerly Superintendent) and Commandant of Cadets introducing new policies. It took them an entire semester to adjust. The daily operations of the cadets and the tactics group became more systematized, but discipline remained strict. They faced demerits, punishment tours, and confinements. Twelve of their classmates were separated for committing various offenses. Dura lex sed lex—the law is harsh, but it is the law. The morale of their class was at its lowest at the middle of the semester. The change was a harbinger of the new image of the Corps of Cadets and the Academy.
Academics became even more challenging, pushing them to study harder. That semester was a turning point, determining whether they would make it to graduation the following year. Toward the end of the semester, they embarked on field trips to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa, the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong, and the Philippine Air Force Flying School in San Fernando Air Base, Lipa City.
Through all the hardships, they clung to a flicker of hope, knowing their struggle would eventually come to an end. That moment arrived on April 8, 1994, when they finally graduated. As they donned their new ranks, they were appointed as Inspectors in their respective bureaus.
The SANDIGAN Class of 1994 had 74 graduates and produced 37 star-rank officers across the tri-bureau, two among them became the head of BJMP and BFP. There are still 33 in the active, with 68 original members still living.
Source:
PNPAAAI Records
Philippine National Police Academy
