MANILA, Philippines – Among the standouts of the graduating class of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) of 2013 is the son of a retired policeman and a public school teacher, and a Tausug, the first-ever Muslim cadet to be designated as regimental commander in the Academy’s history.

On Friday, March 22, 269 cadets of the PNPA “Tagapamagitan” class will graduate in Camp General Mariano Castaneda in Silang, Cavite. Of that number, 258 will join the police force or the Philippine National Police (PNP) while only 11 cadets will join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

“Tagapamagitan” means mediator or arbitrator, in line with the class’ aim to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcers.

At the top of the class is 22-year-old cadet Jhon Felix Gutierrez Pascual Jr, a native of Iguig, Cagayan, whose father was also a policeman. He will receive the Presidential Kampilan Award from President Benigno Aquino III.

Another special graduate is Cadet Aiman Jumlani Kamlon who finished 6th in his class. Hailing from Jolo, Sulu, Kamlon was appointed First Captain, the first Muslim to receive the designation since PNPA was established in 1980.

The graduates will receive a degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) upon graduating, and will enter as Inspectors in their respective public safety bureaus.

No cadets will enter the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) this year however, despite a government mandate to proportionately distribute graduates among the 3 bureaus.

In a letter to the academy, BFP Officer-In-Charge Chief Supt Carlito Romero said it could not accommodate the 26 PNPA cadets because it did not have space in the bureau for the rank of fire inspector.

Rounding up the top ten students are, in order, Christian Palustre Javier from Masanlay, Oriental Mindoro — one of the 11 joining the jail bureau, Davis Vicente Dulawan from Lamut, Ifugao, Mohammad Fadhad Dinampo Julwadi from Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City, Markson Solomon Almeranez from Sta. Mesa, Manila, Kamlon, Mark Francis TupazBauya from Abuyog, Leyte, Nino Villanueva Aquiatan from Taft, Eastern Samar, Aiman Khuzaimah Pagayawan Pantaran from Lanao del Norte, and Zynon Aclinen Paiking, from La Trinidad, Benguet.

Aside from Kamlon, two other Muslims — Julwadi and Pantaran — made it to the top 10. – Rappler.com