THE valedictorian of the Philippine National Police Academy class of 2018 will join the Philippine National Police’s elite Special Action Force, heeding the challenge of PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa.
Police Cadet Fritz John Napalinga Vallador received the Presidential Kampilan Award from President Rodrigo Duterte in the graduation rites at the PNPA campus inside Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
Vallador’s foster mother, Nelia Deocares, said the topnotcher will follow Dela Rosa’s orders and join the SAF, which is noted for the 44 policemen who perished trying to capture a terrorist in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.
“We’re happy and excited for him, but afraid at the same time because after this, he will undergo SAF training,” said Deocares.
Hailing from Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Vallador heads PNPA Class Maragtas (Magiting At Responsableng Alagad ng Batas na Gagabay sa Transpormasyong Alay sa Bayang Sinilangan).
The class counts 106 cadets, 79 males and 27 females, who will be appointed as commissioned officers in their respective service bureaus by President Duterte.
Vallador and 75 others will be joining the PNP, 13 will serve in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and 17 will enlist in the Bureau of Fire Protection.
The 24-year-old will receive a house and lot in Bacolod City from the government for his achievement.
His biological mother, Ana Marie Vallador, is a domestic helper in Spain and could not make the ceremony. She asked Deocares, a close friend who took care of Fritz John since he was in Grade 5, to represent her instead.
“I haven’t seen my father since birth,” the PNPA top cadet admitted in his speech. “But even if I don’t have a father, I am here now in front of you, someone who worked hard to reach this level of success.”
Deocares praised her foster son, describing him as respectful, responsible, diligent with his studies and ready to sacrifice for his family.
Police Cadet Francis Pang-ay Fagkang, from Sacasacan, Sadanga, Mt. Province graduated second. Also 24, he received the Vice Presidential Kampilan Award and a plaque of merit from Vice President Leni Robredo.
Graduating third is Police Cadet Jess Torres Agustin from Anchokey, Kabayan, Benguet. He gained the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Kampilan Award and plaque of merit.
The other graduating cadets in the top 10, in order, are:
Police Cadet Jesstony Fabro Asanion from Brgy Bulawon, Sta Cruz, Zambales (4th);
Fire Cadet Myrick Aquino Paldingan from Mankayan, Benguet (5th);
Police Cadet Christian Villacarlos Juego from Brgy Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite (6th);
Police Cadet Cherry Mae Lumogda Montaño from Brgy Fatima, General Santos City (7th);
Police Cadet Stephen Torrevillas Abrica from Basak, San Nicolas, Cebu City (8th);
Jail Cadet Arjay Marcaida Cuasay from Brgy Marcelo, Parañaque City (9th); and
Police Cadet Maricar Sison Ansus from Brgy Salvacion, Bacon, Sorsogon City (10th).
Earlier, the country’s top cop earlier urged the top PNPA graduating cadets to join the SAF, as Dela Rosa said he did not want the budding police officials to immediately join the government’s drug war.
“You should become good warriors of the PNP. You will become very good officers if you start there at the SAF,” he added.