DAVAO CITY – First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte encouraged the police personnel who graduated from the ‘Public Safety Senior Leadership Course’ to remember their lessons to serve better and protect the public.

Through his second-born son Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, the legislator welcomed the 40 graduates of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) leadership course at the National Police Training Institute, Regional Training Center 11 (RTC-11) here on Wednesday.

“After the celebrations and as you return to your respective units and stations, always remember the teachings you learned in the past six months, for sooner or later, you’ll apply such knowledge,” Rigo said on behalf of his father, who was on duty during the event.

Rep. Duterte reminded the graduates to use the knowledge they have gained to serve and protect the constituents in their respective areas of responsibility, to continue having a better place to live, and that the towns/cities they belonged to be the most livable cities in the country.

“Congratulations on a job well done to each of you for completing the mid-level management course and training on responsible leadership,” Rep. Duterte said in a message.

“You have all the reason to be proudly sitting there beaming with pride as you accomplished a remarkable deed worth another feather in your cap,” he added.

RTC–Davao regional chief Police Colonel Marvin Fontalva, in an interview, also congratulated the graduates of the Public Safety Senior Leadership Course. He said that he is proud of the milestone that the graduates reached.

“These policemen went through such a leadership course to improve their competence and skills in handling their respective duties, given they are now on a managerial level. We expect that upon their return to their units, they could apply what they have learned,” Fontalva said.

Fontalva encouraged the graduates to share what they learned from the training and apply the knowledge they acquired to improve the services in their respective offices and to the public. He also said their job would be convenient with the cooperation of everyone.

The police graduates have endured six months of being away from their homes and families to complete the course, Rep. Duterte said, adding that everyone expects them to be fully equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for management and leadership.

Rep. Duterte thanked Colonel Fontalva for inviting him to be part of such a remarkable success of the police force in the Davao Region.

The 40 police officers will soon return to their respective units in Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.