PNP to address hazing at PNPA as it takes over institution

Graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) for Masidlak Class of 2017 march to formation to start the 38th PNPA Commencement Exercises in Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on March 24, 2017. (Photo by ROBINSON NIÑAL JR. / Presidential Photographers Division)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) hopes to address the “dysfunctions” — including alleged maltreatment and hazing — at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) as it officially takes full jurisdiction of the premier police training institution on Monday.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde accepted the formal transfer of the PNPA from the Philippine Public Safety College to the PNP during a turnover ceremony held at Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.

Asked of his hopes now that the PNPA, where future police commissioned officers are trained, is under the jurisdiction of the PNP, Albayalde said he was hoping that the quality of officers that would join the police force would be improved.

“That’s really what we want, and hopefully, we will also be able to address the dysfunctions here, particularly the alleged maltreatment, hazing, and traditions that should not be observed by the cadet corps of the PNPA,” Albayalde, speaking in Filipino, told reporters after the ceremony.

READ: Duterte orders dismissal of 3 PNPA cadets in ‘oral sex scandal’

Albayalde aired this hope amid the investigation on the death of 20-year-old Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, who died due to hazing allegedly by his upperclassmen at the Philippine Military Academy.

Albayalde himself is an alumnus of the PMA, a member of the Sinagtala Class of 1986.

READ: TIMELINE: The ‘hell’ Cadet Dormitorio endured at PMA

He vowed the PNP would show the cadets that it would be firm in instilling discipline to prevent a similar incident from happening at the PNPA.

“If we have to dismiss immediately these cadets, [we will]…  They know they will be charged criminally and administratively. We will make them fully aware of that,” he said.

But even the PNP chief, who is set to retire on Nov. 8, admitted that this would not be an overnight effort, but he said he was confident these alleged incidents would be completely eliminated in the future.

Now that the PNPA, which also trains future fire and jail officers, is under the control of the PNP, Albayalde said there would be no more blame gaming between the PNP and the PPSC on why rogue cops exist in the police force.

“That’s all gone now. Whatever happens here in the academy, it will be the sole responsibility of the PNP,” he said.

In December 2018, three cadets were dismissed from the PNPA for their alleged involvement in a sexual harassment case on a plebe. The case involved a second class cadet who allegedly ordered the plebe to perform oral sex as a punishment for not obeying an order while two third-class cadets watched.

In the PNPA, as in the PMA, the ranking of cadets, from most junior to senior is as follows: fourth class (or a plebe), third class, second class, first class.

The transfer of the PNPA to the PNP is in compliance with provisions of the Republic Act No. 11279 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 12.

READ: 3 PNPA cadets in oral sex scandal ordered sacked from academy

On Oct. 7, the PNP is also set to take over the National Police Training Institute in Calamba, Laguna, which provides basic training for police recruits and other in-service mandatory training courses, also as part of the provisions of the same law.

/atm