The Military training our youth

Members of the faculty, members of the Graduating Class, ladies and gentlemen, my friends.

I greet every one of you, and I greet each and every MPC soldier in the field.

This world is certainly rolling very fast, and those who fail to keep pace with the times and be able to fill up every minute with a 60-second run will surely be a pace behind.

Ten years ago, we started the military training of our youth, not for war but to promote peace, prosperity, and happiness for our people and to denote national respect for our race. Consequently, schools for officers and enlisted men were established all over the Philippines to facilitate their instruction and thus make them capable professional soldiers. The training continued according to plan, and was stopped in December of 1941 when the war broke out.

However, in the summer of 1942, although we were not spiritually defeated, we were physically beaten – hence the surrender.

Finally, in the summer of 1945, with the help of the American Forces of liberation, we drove the enemy off our shores, and victory was attained.

Those were the brief events that occurred in our country from the time we started the preparation of our national defense to the time of our liberation.

But, my friends, what surprises me this morning is the speed with which the MPC performs its vital functions in order to make its members professionally efficient. It is indeed that, despite the lack of facilities, despite the fact that right here in Central Luzon there is banditry and disorder which the MPC is called upon to suppress, it is able to put up schools for officers and men within a short period of time. It is gratifying, indeed, to see these young officers and men undergo military training in order to make themselves fit for the job, and to prepare themselves for higher positions which may be assigned to them in the defense of this country in case another ambitious nation tries to overrun us again in the days to come.

I am here, then, not only to extend to you my heartiest congratulations for having satisfactorily completed the course and to share with you the pride and satisfaction that we all feel over your success, but also to remind you of those lessons of war and the tremendous task and responsibility that lie ahead of you as Peace Officers.

As members of the Army assigned to MPC, you share in the responsibility of accomplishing two peace-time missions of the Army. First, to maintain peace and order; second, to train and organize a citizen army that forms the bulwark of our national defense. In whatever activities you may be engaged, you should not lose sight of the fact that you are professional soldiers indoctrinated in the principles of democracy and dedicated to the service of this country.

Evidently, you’re training in leadership, locomotive, and signal communications, which you have just completed, is an asset to your profession, and will be of great value to the MPC. Yet, I believe that the phases of training which you have satisfactorily completed are but auxiliaries to the main objectives and do not, as a whole, cover all the requirements of the task which you are required to perform as peace officers. The functions and duties of yesterday Your Commanding General is an old and tough soldier of the PC. He knows that the functions of peace officers do not necessarily require every soldier to be proficient in the tactics and techniques of the infantry. In the field, it is enough that he knows how to obey orders from his superior officer; that he knows how to take care of himself and his weapon; that he knows how to use his legs; that he knows how to shoot well; that he has knowledge of criminal law; and that he knows the terrain and the psychology and ideology of the people with whom he is dealing.

Here in central Luzon, there is unrest and lawlessness. A peace officer must know the cause and perpetration of a crime and the reason therefore. In the field, he must be resourceful. He must know how to solve every problem he faces, whether it's with people or with things.

The people of Central Luzon today may be divided into two classes as far as ideology is concerned. To the first class belong those people who believe and practice the ideology which we acquire from American schools and Christian religion. We acquire from American schools and Christian religion and absorb the democratic way of life. This class believes that the government belongs to the people. The other class belongs to the government. So, we have two conflicting ideologies among the people of central Luzon at present. Democracy vs. Dictatorship In dealing with those exponents of dictatorship, I wish to remind you of those ignorant people who are misled by the few ambitious leaders who desire to shake up our government to its very foundation and to plant here a dictatorial form of government, the laws and ideals of which are contrary to our laws, ideals, tradition, religion, and way of life. These ignorant people should be treated with firmness tempered with justice, tact, and diplomacy. In dealing with their leaders, who are responsible for the destruction of many lives and properties of our own people, I want you, as representatives of this Great Republic, to avail yourselves to the fullest extent of the power granted you by the law and back up such power with every bit of force at your command against them. Under no circumstances will you tolerate lawlessness on their part, much less defy the armed forces of the Republic.

It is beyond doubt that one of the most fundamental requirements of an orderly and honest government is peace and order. But I wonder how many of our people understand the importance of your work, especially during this period of rehabilitation. I wonder how many of you realize the significance of the contribution you have made to our country. But I am certain that the government is fully aware of your sacrifices, and it believes that as long as we have men like you in the service, this great republic will live forever.

I do not know what the future has in store for you, but I do know that whatever your fate may be, it will always be your glory to be among the first professional soldiers of this newly born republic. For all the professions, that of the soldier is the noblest.