Written by: Sarah Mae Dagdagen
Contributors: Beca May Pidlao-Palitayan, Sigfred Bang-ayan and Jenny Bentres
A Criminology Capability Building Program was organized on February 12, 2026 by Benguet State University in collaboration with Baguio and Benguet Schools, offering Bachelor of Science in Criminology Program to Prepares Future Criminal Justice Professionals in the National Police Commission Entrance Examination and Drone Technology
A training program was held for BS Criminology students and graduates, bringing together interns from Baguio Central University (BCU), graduates from BCU and Kings College of the Philippines (KCP), and third-year students from Benguet State University (BSU). The goal was to get future law enforcers and criminal justice workers ready for school and on-the-job challenges, with main focus on passing the NAPOLCOM Exam and learning how to use drones. Among the attendees were the Class Mandarasig Interns and Class Bagsik Lahi Alumni who represented Baguio Central University College of Criminal Justice Education.
Dr. Victor Delos Santos, who heads BSU’s College of Criminal Justice System, led the first part about the Napolcom Police Officer Entrance Exam. He talked about what the test covers – like government rules for getting eligible, UNCLOS, and the Philippine Constitution. He told everyone that passing the exam means you’re eligible to apply, but you’re usually not a top priority for agencies. So it’s important to do really well to stand out when looking for a job.
Dr. Darwin P. Batawang ran the second session on drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). He explained what drones are, why they’re useful for modern police work and watching over areas, and showed their main parts and how to fly them. He also talked about technical things like how far different drones can send signals and what causes signal loss.
He stressed that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) makes the rules for using drones – including registering them, getting certified, and following safety guidelines. His main message was “Safe Flying is Compliant Flying” – following CAAP rules keeps everyone safe and makes sure work is done professionally. He also covered basic flying steps, safety situations, possible dangers, and the legal and right ways to use drones in law enforcement.
To make sure participants understood what they learned, organizers gave tests before and after each session. This hands-on way let students and interns see how much they improved. It also showed how important it is to learn actively, and encouraged them to think carefully and use what they learned in real life.
The program worked well because it mixed school learning with practical skills, connecting old criminology basics with new technology. It showed how important it is to do great on the NAPOLCOM Exam and know how to use drones.
This way, future professionals can handle the changes and challenges in law enforcement today. For graduating students, the program was very helpful – it not only added to what they know but also gave them useful skills to start their careers with confidence.
