BAGUIO CITY - President Benigno Aquino III challenged graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2013 to put common good above self-interest, asking them not to emulate the path taken by Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in asserting the claim over Sabah.

In his commencement address, Aquino rebuked those behind the action that led to a bloody conflict, supposedly disregarding its impact on the 800,000 Filipinos living and working in Sabah.

"Kayo ang lumagay sa lugar ko. Lehitimo man o hindi ang hinaing ng mga nagtungo doon, paano ito titimbangin sa harap ng buhay at kabuhayang malalagay sa peligro kung magsimula ang hidwaan?" Aquino said.

"Ano po kaya ang tumakbo sa isip ng mga nasa likod ng insidenteng ito? Ang malinaw, sinuman ang may pakana, ang inisip nila ay pansariling interes lamang habang ipinapain ang kapakanan ng kanilang kapwa."

He said that grievances should be addressed through peaceful means to prevent aggravating and prolonging a problem.

He pointed out the rules-based approach taken by the government in bringing before an arbitral tribunal the country's territorial claim over islands in the West Philippine Sea.

He said it is more effective to engage in a peaceful dialogue as shown in the government's peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Aquino asked the graduates to always put themselves in the shoes of the downtrodden to determine a right course of action.

He challenged the graduates to live up to the country's ideals as a way of repaying the sacrifices of their families and the people.

Pudang Kalis

This year's batch took the class name "Pudang Kalis," derived from a Muslim term that means "sacred sword" passed from generation to generation.

The cadets believe "they are like a sword whose blade will never perish from generation to generation."

It also stands for "Puso't Dangal ng mga Kawal ng Lahing Nagkakaisa" or "Soldiers with Heart and Honor, Unified in Strength."

Aquino presented the presidential saber to class valedictorian Cadet 1CL Jestony Aman Lanaja.

Vice President Jejomar Binay handed the vice presidential saber to Cadet 1CL Maryam Dinamling Balais.