Laughter, Brotherhood, and Unfinished Service at the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74 (PC/AFP POTC CLASS 74) Reunion
*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM
On October 17, I joined a lunch reunion of several members of the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74 (PC/AFP POTC CLASS 74 ). I expected good food, familiar faces, and stories from their years in uniform. I also found myself listening to a discussion on the state of the nation.
Walang projector. Walang briefing folder. At salamat naman, walang kailangang gumawa ng minutes.
But there was plenty worth remembering.
Among the retirees present were Col. Bernardo Ranot, Col. Honorio Tomas, Col. Rey Surop, Col. Romeo Teope, Col. Loreto Abad, Col. Jose Balane, Col. Rogelio Farinas, Col. Benhur Aguinaldo, Col. Mario Subagan, MGen. Danilo Gaoiran, Col. Virgilio Rendon, and Col. Mario Tangonan—all members of the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74 (PC/AFP POTC CLASS 74).
Also joining us was Col. Rey Dela Cruz, the present Deputy Director for Operations of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. He had been one of my brother’s trusted lieutenants during his active service in the PNP. His presence connected the stories of retired officers with the responsibilities of someone still serving today.
The POTC Class 74 is a large batch, and those gathered at lunch represented only a small part of that brotherhood. My kuya, Colonel Romeo, is more than twenty years older than I am. Some members of his batch later became my students in the Directorial Staff Course or the Officer Senior Executive Course at the Philippine Public Safety College.
Kaya may nakakatuwang pagkakataon na ako ang mas bata, pero ako ang nasa harap ng klase. Sa edad, sila ang mga kuya; sa classroom, ako ang “Sir.” But teaching seasoned officers also meant learning from them. They brought years of actual command, difficult assignments, and practical judgment into our discussions.
Through those encounters, I witnessed their professionalism and gained a deeper appreciation of their service records and contributions to the Philippine Constabulary and the Philippine National Police. Ang paggalang ko sa kanila ay may personal na pinanggagalingan: nakasama ko sila, nakinig sa kanilang karanasan, at nakita kung paano nila inuunawa ang responsibilidad ng paglilingkod sa bayan.
Bilang kapatid, masaya akong makita siyang kasama ang mga taong naging bahagi ng kanyang buhay sa serbisyo. Bilang law enforcement and political analyst, educator at dating municipal councilor, at diplomatic envoy marami rin akong gustong marinig.
The years showed, of course. Most are now in their seventies. But so did the bearing: upright, alert, straightforward, and unmistakably accustomed to responsibility. These were still officers and gentlemen.
Retired na, pero sa tindig pa lang, parang ikaw pa ang mapapaayos ng upo.
Then came the conversation. Between laughter and recollections, they discussed government, public safety, and what they believed needed to change. They offered opinions shaped by years of dealing with people, institutions, and the consequences of decisions.
What struck me was how much they still cared.
Wala nang promotion na kailangang habulin. Wala nang performance rating na kailangang pagandahin. Pero kapag bayan na ang pinag-uusapan, seryoso pa rin.
Their pensions arrive. Their concern for the country never left.
Their law enforcement experience spans a demanding period. They served through the martial-law years, when public safety duties intersected with political tensions and insurgency. Those years require honest reflection, including respect for rights and accountability in the exercise of authority.
Listening to their recollections, I thought about the lessons younger officers could draw from them: how decisions are made under pressure, how institutions function, and how an order can affect lives far beyond the officer issuing it.
May mga kuwentong puwedeng pagtawanan habang kumakain. May mga karanasan ding kailangang pakinggan nang mabuti, dahil may aral na hindi basta makukuha sa training manual.
Their route into service also deserves recognition. As members of the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74, they brought their college education into the demanding preparation for officership at the Philippine Constabulary Training Center (PCTC), Camp Castañeda, Lumil, Silang, Cavite.
At sa haba ng pangalang “Probationary Officer Training Course,” aaminin kong kailangan ko munang namnamin bago masanay sa pagbigkas. Posibleng may ilan sa mga PNP at AFP officers ngayon na hindi na rin pamilyar sa kursong ito. Even I was not familiar with it. What I did know was the School for Reserve Commission, where my father, retired Philippine Constabulary Colonel Mauro Herrera Teope, graduated.
Kaya may personal ding koneksiyon ang pagkilala ko sa kanilang pinagmulan. My father’s training and their course belong to the stories of how earlier generations prepared for officership. Magkaiba man ang pangalan ng kanilang pinagdaanan, lalo kong gustong maunawaan ang mga kuwentong iyon—dahil bahagi rin sila ng kasaysayan ng aming pamilya at ng paglilingkod sa bayan.
Before Camp Castañeda became the home of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), it was already the training ground of these officers. The camp’s history as a training site for PC and INP personnel is also recognized in Proclamation No. 1536.
Bago naging tahanan ng mga kadete ng PNPA ang lugar na iyon, naroon na ang pawis, pagod, at pangarap ng mga opisyal na ito. Para sa kanila, Camp Castañeda is part of their own beginning—the place where their preparation for a lifetime of service took shape.
That background brought together civilian academic learning and military discipline. Neither route guarantees good leadership; an officer ultimately proves himself through competence, judgment, and conduct.
Sa huli, ang mahalaga ay kung paano ginamit ang pinag-aralan at kung paano pinakitunguhan ang taong pinaglilingkuran.
Their careers took them into field assignments, communities, and government offices. MGen. Danilo Gaoiran later served as an MMDA Executive Officer, while Col. Mario Subagan now serves as Mayor of Suyo, Ilocos Sur. Others have pursued their own paths and noble advocacies, carrying their commitment to service into different areas of community life.
Magkakaiba man ang kanilang tinahak, patuloy silang nag-aambag sa kapwa at sa bayan sa kani-kanilang paraan.
Even their original institution underwent a profound transition. Republic Act No. 6975 ended the PC’s status as a major service of the Armed Forces, while the newly established PNP absorbed its police functions and those of the Integrated National Police.
Pero ang samahan nila, hindi nabuwag. Mahigit limang dekada mula 1974, may mesa pa rin silang binabalikan at mga kuwentong gustong marinig sa isa’t isa.
Our discussion also touched on retirement benefits. According to their accounts, several who completed active service as colonels receive benefits computed using the next higher grade. Section 74 of Republic Act No. 6975 provides for retirement pay at one grade above the permanent grade last held, subject to its condition.
Although they retired from active service as colonels, their retirement benefits, as discussed during our reunion, are based on the next higher grade. In that testimonial spirit, I believe they deserve the affectionate address of “Brigadier General” as a tribute to their years of service. This is an expression of personal esteem, while their formally held ranks remain a matter of official record.
Sa opisyal na tala, igalang natin ang kanilang tunay na ranggo. Sa pagbibigay-pugay, buong puso ko silang matatawag na “General”—bilang pagkilala sa kanilang karanasan, sakripisyo, at paglilingkod sa bayan.
But gratitude should also make room for their knowledge.
These officers can mentor younger public servants, speak with students, contribute to community initiatives, and offer informed perspectives in policy discussions. Appropriate advisory roles may also allow those willing and qualified to serve again.
Hindi kailangang ibalik ang lahat sa opisina. Pero sayang naman kung ang karanasan ay hanggang reunion na lang napakikinggan.
As an educator, I know how a lesson changes when the person explaining it has lived with its consequences. There is value in hearing what worked, what failed, and what someone would do differently with the benefit of hindsight.
Then the bill arrived at the eat-all-you-can restaurant—and out came the senior citizen IDs for their 20% discount.
Doon, walang kailangang mag-unahan sa promotion. Lahat qualified na sa senior citizen privilege. At sa pagkakataong iyon, may malinaw na pakinabang ang dagdag na edad!
It was a lighthearted moment, but it made me think about what those years represented. Behind each ID was a lifetime of responsibilities, difficult decisions, friendships, and service. The years that now entitled them to a discount had also given them something the country should value: experience and wisdom.
Habang tumatanda tayo, nag-iiba ang halaga ng pagsasama. Ang dating ordinaryong tanghalian, nagiging pagkakataong gusto mong pahabain. Mas pinakikinggan mo ang kuwento. Mas pinahahalagahan mo ang tawanan. At sana, mas nakikita rin natin ang halaga ng mga taong kasama natin sa mesa.
To the POTC Class 74, thank you for welcoming me. I hope there will be many more lunches, many more stories, and many more opportunities for you to share what you have learned.
But my appeal goes beyond this reunion: our country should make better use of the experience and abilities of retired officers who remain willing and capable of contributing. From the national government to their own barangays, there can be meaningful opportunities for mentoring, advising, supporting community safety, and helping younger leaders exercise sound judgment.
Hindi lahat kailangang bumalik sa isang mataas na posisyon. Minsan, ang isang barangay na nangangailangan ng gabay, isang kabataang nangangailangan ng mentor, o isang komunidad na naghahanap ng maaasahang katuwang ay sapat nang dahilan upang muling makapaglingkod.
Age alone does not establish wisdom. But when years of experience are matched by integrity, reflection, and a continuing willingness to help, we should recognize the contribution a person can still make. Let us invite them into the conversation—and give their knowledge useful work to do.
Ang mga bakas ng edad ay maaari ring maging bakas ng mga aral na pinagdaanan. Pakinggan natin sila. Bigyan natin ng pagkakataong maibahagi ang kanilang kakayahan, mula sa mga tanggapan ng national government hanggang sa kani-kanilang barangay.
They may have retired from active service, but they are not yet finished loving and serving the nation.
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