The debating team of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) has secured a spot to represent the Philippines to an international competition in Albania after emerging as the champion of the Role Play Challenge of the 2022 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
PNPA director Police Brig. Gen. Eric Noble said their debating team beat representatives from law schools in the country that include the University of the Philippines-Diliman, the Ateneo de Davao University, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and the University of the Cordilleras.
Noble said the victory was indeed a cause for celebration as the PNPA was the only non-law school participant in the moot court competition held at the Manila Adventist College from Oct. 10-14.
"The team passionately represented their stance as they advanced to the quarter final rounds on the given case for the prosecution and defense in front of highly acclaimed judges from various perspectives- legal, military, and civilian," said Noble.
"Despite the heat of legal and persuasive argumentation, the PNPA Moot Court Team demonstrated grace and stability under pressure as they demonstrated their mettle and prowess in the field of International Humanitarian Law," he added.
Ten cadets make up the PNPA Moot Team and was led by Cadets 1st Class Mary Grace Montenegro, Medela Divina, and Saleh Ismael Lingas. The team also includes Cadet 1st Class Mary Louise Moyano.
This year's competition, according to Noble, introduced the first all-female counsels team: Cadet 2nd Class Cleojean Pia as First Counsel, Cadet 2nd Class Jonjea Kamille Amparo as Second Counsel, and Cadet 2nd Class Art Lorenz Francisco as Alternate Counsel. Cadets 3rd Class John Gerbese,John Ortiz, and Kristine Flores also joined the team as researchers.
"They have graciously demonstrated their drive to be more than just future law enforcement officers for the country, but also great advocates of justice through the art of oral argumentation," said Noble.
PNPA spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Louie Gonzaga said the victory paved the way for the PNPA debating team to represent the Philippines in the IHL competition in Albania in February next year.