Woman among PNPA’s top 10 graduates

MANILA, Philippines - A female cadet made it to the top 10 graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Lakandula Class 2015, proof that women can survive and achieve honors even in an institution dominated by men.

The class name Lakandula stands for “Lahing Kayumanggi na handang ialay sa bayan ang Dugo at Lakas.”

Cadet 1st Class Julie Anne Aguilar placed 10th in this year’s graduating batch. The graduation rites will be held on March 26 at the PNPA compound in Silang, Cavite. There are only 15 women among the 247 PNPA graduates.

Aguilar is also the first female chairperson of the PNPA honor committee.

“We female cadets think (the police force) is really a field for men… being able to survive and achieve honors in an institution composed mostly of men is an achievement, a statement that females can also achieve and succeed in the field,” Aguilar, the daughter of S/Supt. Geronimo Aguilar, told The STAR.

The older Aguilar, currently assigned to the finance service, was valedictorian of PNPA Class 1987.

Aguilar said her secret in making it to the top 10 was that she considered all her hard work as an investment.

“Everyday you have to concentrate and improve yourself. To achieve something, you have to improve yourself everyday, it doesn’t happen overnight,” she said.

Aguilar admitted there were instances when she thought of leaving the PNPA.

“It’s hard managing your time between academics and physical activities and relating with other cadets. Sometimes it brings you to your breaking point, but… no amount of challenge or hard work is greater than your passion,” she said.

Meanwhile, the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers last month in Mamasapano, Maguindanao did not discourage PNPA graduates from joining the elite force. About 60 graduates of the PNPA Class 2015 are set to join SAF.

Of the 247 PNPA graduates, 226 will join the local police. Eleven will be under the Bureau of Fire Protection and 10 will join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Cadet 1st Class Alexis Aberion, the class baron, said at least 25 percent of their class wants to join the SAF. A native of Abra, Aberion is the current regimental commander of the PNPA Corps of Cadets. – With Rhodina Villanueva