Women dominate Top 10 of PNPA class 2011 grads

Some 260 cadets from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduated on Saturday in Cavite, with seven women dominating the 11 who made to the Top 10 of class 2011, radio dzBB reported. Topping the "Mamamayang Sasabak sa Lipunang Ganap" or Masaligan Class of 2011 was 22-year-old Aleli Buaquen of Baguio City. She is followed by two fellow female cadets: Beverlie Allapitan from Isabela (second place) and Cherifer Bayaga from Aurora (3rd). Four other female graduates also made it to the Top 10: Joy Anne Creus of Cavite (5th); Ma. Carizza Matel of Cavite (8th); Catherine Cas of Albay (9th); Rowena Solano of Palawan (10th). Of the 260 graduates, 219 would be joining the Philippine National Police, 15 would be assigned to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and 26 will go to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the report said. President Benigno Aquino III, who delivered a speech later in the graduation rites, handed over the diplomas to the PNPA graduates. [See related: Aquino to PNPA grads: Don't succumb to bribes, temptation] The President was assisted on the stage by his aunt, Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco, who is the president of the Philippine Public Safety College. Meanwhile, Strong winds during the ceremony at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, blew off the red carpet that the graduates were supposed to walk on. Several cadets were sent in to keep the carpet in place, the report said. In a radio dzBB interview immediately after the graduation rites, Buaquen gave her take on controversies in which police officials have been implacated recently. "Kung ano man po ang issue na kinahaharap ay dumadaan po iyan sa proseso sa imbestigasyon at kung sino man dapat managot dapat managot," said the Baguio native. Buaquen said she will be assigned at the Calabarzon Regional Police Office (Region IV-B). — LBG, GMA News