Top PNPA grad, sis, keep family tradition of service

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- Aleli Cuyan Buaquen was 18 and stood at 157.5 centimeters (5 feet, 2 inches) when she and younger sister Maila entered the Philippine National Police Academy in 2007. No more, no less, Aleli’s was the minimum qualifying height for cadetship.

She never grew any taller. Yet, through those rigorous four years of study and training, the diminutive Ibaloi lass from Baguio consistently stood taller than even the tallest in class.

As she did in academics and in field training, Aleli rose to the occasion last March 26. The No. 1 cadet among 260 survivors of Masaligan (Mamamayang Sasabak sa Lipunang Ganap) Class of 2011, she delivered the valedictory at their graduation rites graced by President Aquino.

“We must continue to strive for excellence, observe discipline and value honor to be able to serve the public with our utmost best,” Inspector Aleli told her fellow junior officers.

“We owe our ranks to the Filipino people,” she reminded them.

Aleli is the third female to graduate valedictorian at the PNPA in Silang, Cavite. She and Maila are the first sisters to graduate in the same class.

Back in Baguio, Senior Police Officer 2 Lovino Buaquen and his wife Carolina celebrated their daughters’ twin feat with a two-day canao (feast) at the family home in Brookside.

Eight pigs and two cows were offered in the thanksgiving graced by no less than mayor Mauricio Domogan on Tuesday and Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, president of the Philippine Public Safety College, on Wednesday.

The celebration was no mean sacrifice for the couple, in keeping with the family’s adherence to Benguet culture. SPO2 Buaquen,is an Ibaloi from Ambuclao, Bokod, Benguet, while his wife is a scion Cuyan clan of Baguio.

The 46-year old non-commissioned officer, now assigned in Abra, was once one of Baguio’s outanding police officers. His wife is a former nurse.

The thanksgiving also a toast to the family’s tradition of public service through the police profession.

SP02 Buaquen’s younger brother, Melchor, also graduated from the PNPA and is now a police captain. Carolina’s cousin, the late police officer Danny Cuyan, served with Baguio’s Finest.

Aleli and Maila are two of 219 graduates joining the Philippine National Police; 26 signed up with the Bureau of Fire while15 will be with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Their younger brothers, Carlo, 19, and Lirio, 17, are both criminology students here. Their eldest, Wilvy, 23, married with two kids, works in Malaysia.

More than anybody – or anything - else, it was their father who inspired them to pursue a common career in law enforcement.

“Ever since I was a child, I witnessed how he worked so hard for our bread and butter. My father has been our inspiration,” Aleli said just before she and Maila called on mayor Domogan last Monday.

The pursuit was also influenced by an incident when she was in high school. She and Carlo were held up at dawn while they were waiting for a ride at the waiting shed by the Brookside bridge.

“They were attacked by robbers who took their cellphones,” recalled their neighbor, Engr. Edward Olat who then saw Carlo hurt and lying on the ground. “I rushed them to the hospital and I was glad his injuries were minor.”

Four years at the academy inevitably leads to deep fraternal ties. Being sisters, it was doubly so for the siblings.

“Mas solid yong bonding namin,” Aleli said.

So solid ever since one would be certain Maila, who stands at five feet and four inches, would have readily offered an inch to her sister, if only it were possible, had Aleli failed to make the height cut at their entrance as plebes.

As new inspectors, however, the sisters will pursue career paths away from each other, in keeping with a policy for sibling graduates.

Aleli, 22, will be assigned to Region 4-A while Maila, 21, will report to Region 1.