Aquino to PNPA grads: Don't succumb to bribes, temptation

President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday warned the fresh graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) against giving in to bribes and being lured by offers of money in exchange for disloyalty in service. "Susuhulan kayo ng limpak-limpak na salapi upang tapatan ang inyong karangalan. Aalukin kayo ng sangkaterbang kapangyarihan upang baliktarin ang inyong paninindnigan," said the President during his speech at the commencement exercises for the 260 graduates of the PNPA Class of 2011. (You will be offered huge amount of money in exchange for your honor. People will try to lure you with promises of power to bend your convictions.) "Sa ganitong mga tukso, umaasa akong hindi kayong magpapatalo at mananatili kayong masasaligan," Aquino added, alluding to the class's batch name, Mamamayang Sasabak sa Lipunang Ganap or Masaligan. (But I believe you will stand firm and remain trustworthy.) Aquino also acknowledged that the Philippine National Police's reputation and integrity have come under fire during the last decade. He added, however, that he still believes the PNP is still replete with "malilinis at tapat [honest and loyal]" officials. He assured the graduates that while the PNP's good deeds usually go unreported, "Sinisiguro kong bida kayo sa paningin ko at bayani kayo sa mga pamilyang natutulungan niyo (I assure you, you're good men and women in my eyes and heroes and heroines to the people you served.) Aquino also pointed out that some police officials "ay kumakapit sa patalim (resort to illegal activities)" because of the meager salary and insufficient work benefits in the police service. This is aggravated by the PNP's lack of training and equipment, which the President said seemed to even date back to "Magellan's time." "Huwag po kayong mabahala, tapos na ang ganitong kalakaran. Hindi ko hahayaang kayo ang umako ng kakulangang dulot ng maling pagpapalakad ng nakaraang pamahalaan," Aquino said. During his speech, Aquino also lauded the PNP for the huge drop in the number of car theft cases in the Philippines, from 500 during the first semester of 2010 to just around 200 later that year. He also acknowledged the progress of the police investigation on the killing of public service broadcaster Marlina Flores-Sumera. Police said they have already identified and are pursuing the suspect in the crime. — LBG, GMA News