By: Lakan Nino L Briones and Lakan Lino Soriano (Bugle Call, 2009) updated by Lakan Garry Alegre (Class President, 2025)
The PNPA TAGAPAGSANGGALANG Class of 2004 is the proud pioneer of the four-year cadetship program and all members of their class have already earned their Bachelors Degree before entering the Academy.
On September 26, 1999, six thousand eight-hundred eleven hopeful youths went to the different testing centers for the PNPA Cadet Admission Test. One thousand five hundred seventy-two enthusiasts were fortunate to pass the initial examination composed of 1, 277 males and 295 females. Four hundred fifty hurdled the various screening procedures.
It was a rainy Tuesday morning on May 16, 2000, when they had the initial rendezvous to cadetship – Reception Day. The Rites was held on the mud-soaked ground of Campos Field with serene downpour of Benedictine rain. For a moment they were awed when dashing ladies and gentlemen clad in maroon uniforms marched in front of them like an imperial army of yore.
The mood of silence prevailed among the guests and spectators while awaiting the succeeding events. At the command of “Take Charge,” the holy ground was suddenly thrown into pandemonium. The line of men and women approached them with terrorizing shouts compelling them to perform different exercises. Finally, they realized that this was what the “Reception” was all about-a test of determination, courage and will on their part. Thereafter they were given bulky duffle bags containing government-issued items, consoling their fear and fatigue for a while. Then swiftly, they moved to the 2nd Battalion area carrying the heavy stuff and reaching the barracks called the “melting pot.”
They felt the rush of adrenalin in their weary bodies every time they heard their upperclassmen give orders in counts. They clumsily wore their uniforms ready to brave the ordeals of a 45-day breaking period. A week later 55 cadets joined their class to complete the final roster of 239 cadets for Class 2004.
At the onset of June 2000, the sun did not shine for the 460 members of Classes 2001 and 2002 when they received memorandum orders for either suspension or dismissal relative to the death of CDT 4C DOMINADOR TUNAC of PNPA Class 2003. This was followed by the termination of positions of the Director, Commandant of Cadets and some Tactical Officers.
On July 2000, PSSUPT DIONISIO B COLOMA JR was reappointed Director with PSUPT ROSAURO P AVARADO assisting in resurrecting the besmirched image of the Academy from the reek of past issues. Changes were evident in the Academy characterizing a civilian look. Cadets marched with school bags wearing barong to attend classroom instructions. Their maroon outfits from gala dress to athletic uniform were changed to color blue to symbolize peace, the international hue for law enforcers’ uniforms.
Finally on September 1, 2000, their Class was named “TAGAPAGSANGGALANG” as suggested by Cadet Serenas. Their Class seal was designed by Cadets Ortega and Miranda.
Their Class suffered great attrition. Twenty (20) of their classmates were turned back and two (2) were dismissed due to fatigue. If Lumbang Creek in Calamba could only speak about capers and escapades, it would tell you how defying those moments were, despite the strict restrictions imposed.
While bonding among them grew stronger in one year of staying together in one barracks, civilianization of cadetship training was imposed by the Philippine Public Safety College. However, PSSUPT Alejandro M Gutierrez and PSUPT Roman A Felix, designated Director and Commandant of Cadets respectively, reverted to the valued traditions of the Academy. They completely rejected the civilian style of the previous administration.
On the night of April 5, 2002, the hallowed grounds of Campos Field were the mute witness of their elation. Fifteen Tactical Officers who were also alumni of the academy initiated a unique ceremony that happens once in the lifetime of a cadet. The coveted “Handshake of Recognition” was given first members of Class 2003 by the representatives of Classes 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99 together with the upperclass corps, then eventually to the Class 2004. They will never forget that event for the rest of their lives.
On May 1, 2002, the younger candidates for cadetship were admitted to constitute the Class 2006, the first batch to enter the Academy with high school diplomas as their minimum educational qualifications.
The whole Class 2004 attended the summer camp training program to develop their expertise in handling short and long firearms. They were taught the rudiments of conventional warfare such as the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) in the “Kill House,” a building situated by the firing range constructed through the initiative of their engineer classmates to minimize blunder and bring the correct training calculations into real action.
The new semester began with more changes in academic policies for Classes 2004 and 2005. After a consensus between the two classes, they arrived at a manifesto and met with the administration and the academic staff resulting in a “Fit-in-Curriculum.” Instead of repeating another year, a failed cadet could continue his studies the next semester and attend the subjects he had failed, once available.
Their Class suffered another great purge before the end of the first semester of school year 2002-2003. Due to a maltreatment offense, 13 of their classmates and of some from Class 2003 were dismissed as a form of disciplinary action.
On August 27, 2002, PCSUPT ALEJANDRO M GUTIERREZ relinquished his position to PSSUPT NICASIO V RADOVAN as Director of the Academy. Known for his lenient diplomatic approach, the new Director immediately reinstated their 14 classmates to Class 2005 while CDT ARNEL M SARA, the cause of endless deliberation, remained with the Class of 2004.
The start of the year 2003 was a bad wake-up call for the new administration with the death of CDT JEOFFREY ANDAWI, a member of Class 2006. The infamous event spread like a conflagration in the windswept bush land. PCSUPT REYNALDO P VARILLA and PSUPT JOSE ANTONIO C SALVACION took over implementing strictly the “No Mercy Policy” for hazing cases and Honor System violators.
On May of 2003, their Class was divided into five groups to undergo the Cadet Attachment Program. They were deployed to the neighboring towns of Amadeo, Indang, Silang, Mendez and Tagaytay City and later on, to the different District Offices in NCR On-the-Job Training and for community work, one of the pillars of the Criminal Justice System.
The first Philippine Military Academy-Philippine National Police Academy dual meet was held at the PNPA and competed in the different sports events developing in them sportsmanship and friendship, this event translates into camaraderie and easier coordination in their respective field of assignment after graduation and so on.
On March 2, 2004, 140 proud members of their class graduated and formally joined the Officer Corps of the PNP, BJMP and BFP.
To date, in the tri-bureau, PNPA TAGAPAGSANGGALANG Class of 2004 have produced the only Lakan Distinguished Awardee for three (3) consecutive years, specifically in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 making him a Hall of Fame Awardee, LAKAN VICENTE S. CABATINGAN, who is also a recipient of the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) Metrobank Awardee in 2012; Hall of Fame Aawarde of the Lakan Distinguished Award for four (4) years, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020, LAKAN LINO M SORIANO; Lakan Distinguished Awardee in 2018, LAKAN JACK ANGOG; Lakan Distinguished Awardee in 2019, LAKAN ROMIL AVENIDO; Lakan Distinguished Awardee in 2022 and recipient of the Best Junior PCO for Administration on the 120th Police service Anniversary in 2021, LAKAN ERNESTO DC NEBALASCA JR; and The Best Junior PCO for Operation on the 111TH PNP Anniversary in 2012 and Best Component City Anti-Illegal Drugs Operation on the 123rd PNP Anniversary in 2024, LAKAN JULIUS B BALANO.
Their class have already produced three (3) lawyers; LAKAN ATTY MARK JOY R BATUYONG, LAKAN ATTY FLINT S DEPNAG and LAKAN ATTY NELFA CABRERA-LEHNERT and already have four (4) full-fledged Colonels; FSSUPT NELFA CABRERA-LEHNERT, FSSUPT STEPHEN A REQUINA, FSSUPT CRISTINA ONG-SOLERO, and FSSUPT ROBERTO D SAMILLANO JR.
Such achievements are testaments that they are living in their class motto “Ad majora natus” or born for greater things.
The TAGAPAGSANGGALANG Class of 2004 had 140 graduates. Their journey tested their limits and shaped them into guardians of peace and justice. At present, 134 original members still living.
Source:
PNPAAAI Records
Philippine National Police Academy
