PERENT

By JAMES MANANGHAYA
The Philippine Star
FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – This years valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy "Baghawi" Class of 2008 urged his classmates to uphold their mandate of protecting the people and the Constitution.
"We should be the best person and officer that we can be by holding on to the idealism, patriotism and values that have been placed deep in our hearts," said 2Lt. Ariel Rallos of Zamboanga City, in his speech during Tuesdays ceremony where President Arroyo was guest of honor and speaker.
"Let us uphold our mandate of being the protector of the people and our Constitution," he added.
The graduation rites of the 220-strong Baghawi class was attended by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the major service commanders, foreign defense attachés and local government officials.
In her speech, the President pointed out that her administration has set aside billions for the modernization of the Armed Forces and for the welfare of the soldiers and their families to improve their fighting capabilities and help contribute to the economic stability of the country.
On top of this, the President ordered the new graduates to wipe out the communist rebellion by 2010.
Rallos said the graduates should exhibit the values and character that they developed during their stay at the countrys premiere military institution.
"We should be agents of positive change that would make a difference, the PMA difference," he said during the ceremony held at Borromeo Field, considered hallowed ground by cadets and alumni.
Rallos also emphasized that they are the new breed of soldiers who have been transformed into leaders with character, dedicated to uphold the academys glorious tradition of maintaining a standard of excellence in accomplishing the mission they are tasked to carry out.
"Though changes are inevitable, the honor code still remains to be our guiding principle. By having a deep sense of honor and integrity, one could never go wrong," he said.
As valedictorian, Rallos received the Presidential Saber and the PGMA Achievement Award for Excellence from Mrs. Arroyo. He was also awarded the Philippine Navy Sword for being the number one graduating cadet joining the Philippine Navy; Academic Group Award; Mathematics Plaque; Natural Sciences Plaque; Department of Tactical Officers Plaque; and the JUSMAG Award, which is given to the top graduates joining the three major services of the AFP.
2Lt. Bernard Roderick Joaquin , 22, of Poblacion, Aguilar, Pangasinan came in second. He received the Vice Presidential Saber and the Philippine Air Force Saber for being the top graduate joining the Philippine Air Force. Joaquin also garnered two other major awards: the Tactics Group Award for topping all courses offered by the Tactics Group, and the JUSMAG Award.
Third is 2Lt. Me-Ann Sinson , 22, of Bagumbayan, Ligao City, Albay. As the third top graduate in the Military Merit Roll, Sinson received the Secretary of National Defense Saber. She was also awarded the Air Force Professional Courses Plaque for topping the Air Force Service core courses.
At fourth is 2Lt. Dennis Legaspi 24, of Palid, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. For being the top graduate joining the Philippine Army, Legaspi received the Philippine Army Saber and the JUSMAG Award.
Next is 2Lt. Vergel Lacambra, 24, of Bgy. Banale, Pagadian City, who received the Humanities Plaque; Management Plaque; Social Sciences Plaque; Army Professional Courses Plaque; and Journalism Award; while in sixth place is 2Lt. Carlo Catalan, 22, of Lower Batinguel, Dumaguete City.
At seventh spot is 2Lt. Francis Pondoyo Jr. , 23, of Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur, who received the Association of Generals and Flag Officers Award.
Eighth is 2Lt. Marc Louie Parado 21, of Sta. Barbara, Baliuag, Bulacan. Next is 2Lt. Dennis Moreno , 25, of Banga, South Cotabato; and number ten is 2Lt. Vay Caballero, 22, of Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.
The other awardees were 2Lts. Freddiemyr Villamayor ; Aldous Christopher DG Tamayo ; Randolf Ramiro ; Jeremy Esilen ; and Elizabeth Rosete .
Completing the list of Academic Excellence awardees are 2Lts. Louie Ponce, magna cum laude; Me-Ann Sinson; Carlo Catalan; Gracella Tecson; Norman Dionela; Joval Ginez; Gilbert Ticman; Karl Jace Pagtananan; John Dave Aguilar; Danilo Vidad Jr.; Antonio Guitering; Harry Lyndon Sersena; Roosevelt Cadiz; Arthur Nasayao; Freddie Navarro; Marvin Batay-an; Jim Donaire; John Martin Samarita; Ruel Gutierrez; Michael Tabali; Michelle Cabalonga; Noel Alekhine Carampel; June Mark Matugas and Jeazzine Ingret Actub, cum laude.
Security was tight during Tuedays event, as the Presidential Security Group implemented stringent measures, which included confiscation of lighters and ball pens.
Wipe out Reds
Giving emphasis to the budget that was set aside for the AFPs modernization, the President noted that the graduates were "special" since they were products of innovations and reforms in the academy.
"In return for all these mobilization , we have set 2010 as the deadline to win the war against the insurgency," Mrs. Arroyo said in giving the graduates their first orders. "As of last year, we had succeeded in halving the number of active insurgents in 2001."
Communist rebels have been waging the longest-running insurgency in Asia, claiming an estimated 40,000 lives. The New Peoples Army is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary later this month.
The National Democratic Front, the umbrella organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA and other aboveground and underground leftist groups in the country withdrew from the peace talks with the government in 2005 when communist leaders in the Netherlands said they prefer to negotiate with the next administration at the height of Mrs. Arroyos political crisis at the time.
"The way to win isnt just through the barrel of a gun. Rather it begins with providing a person a job, food on the table and human dignity," Mrs. Arroyo said.
Central to that success, according to her, is to invest in the people through spending in education, healthcare, roads, bridges.
She said the PMA graduates are fully aware of the multifaceted role of a 21st-century soldier: "Not just a combatant but a military professional, a manager, a partner in development."
The President said PMA exposed the graduates not only to military science but also other aspects of national life such as "the actual experience of building the hopes of our fellow Filipinos" through humanitarian and relief work.
She said "an essential part of building a modern nation in these trying times is to have a military as strong and modern as the nation it serves."
"We have put our money where our rhetoric is. We have invested heavily in new and better equipment, more and better training and more cooperation with our allies in professionalizing our military," Mrs. Arroyo said.
She said government is acquiring brand new helicopters, watercraft, squad automatic weapons, mortars and military trucks, radio systems and force protection equipment.
"We are investing in the great Filipino soldier through better care and improved services," she said, referring to housing and field hospitals.
The 2008 budget also allocates P12 billion for a 10 percent increase in the basic salary of civilian, military and uniformed personnel starting July, she said. – Paolo Romero