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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
March 28, 2026 | 12:00am
Graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy celebrate during their 47th commencement exercises in Silang, Cavite yesterday. Inset shows Lt. Van Marie Editha Cagasan who topped the 326-member Silang-Paglaom Class of 2026.
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday reminded this year’s graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to have zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses, and to ensure the safety of communities and stability of the country amid ongoing international conflicts.
In his keynote address at the 47th Commencement Exercises for the “Silang Paglaom” Class of 2026 at the PNPA campus in Silang, Cavite, Marcos stressed that while the nation’s trust in the police force has improved in the last years, there is still much to be done.
Silang Paglaom stands for “Sinanay na Alagad ng Kapayapaan na Maglilingkod sa Pilipinong Mamamayan (Trained Peacekeepers to Serve the Filipino Citizenry).”
“I know that many of our citizens still have doubts about the police force,” he told the 326 graduates, led by this year’s top police cadet Lt. Van Marie Editha Gundaya Cagasan.
‘Stand up for the law’
In her valedictory speech, Cagasan vowed to uphold the rule of law and serve the public with integrity.
“We will stand up for the law and strive to maintain the peace and order in our country, respecting the trust placed on us by the people,” she said.
A native of Baybay City, Leyte, the 24-year-old Cagasan graduated at the top of her class, a feat which she also achieved in elementary and high school.
She pursued a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology at the Visayas State University, where she was a scholar of the Department of Agriculture’s biotechnology program.
Despite a promising career in science, Cagasan enrolled in the PNPA to become a police officer.
Zero tolerance
Marcos stressed that corruption and human rights violations have no place in the police service, warning that misconduct erodes the foundation of public safety.
“Our security is weakened when the hands sworn to protect are tainted. So we must change it,” the President said.
Marcos directed the PNP, together with the National Police Commission, to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and human rights abuses.
He directed the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to conduct investigations into erring officers. — Emmanuel Tupas
