MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday directed the leadership of the PNP Academy to review and conduct adjustments to its academic policies following the death of a cadet due to hazing.
“I have already directed the Director, PNPA PMGen Rhoderick Armamento, and Director, DHRDD (Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development) PBGen Arthur Bisnar, to conduct the necessary review and adjustments on the existing rules, regulations and academic policies to further strengthen the moral foundation of our cadets in the PNPA,” Eleazar said in a statement.
This came after Cadet 3rd Class George Carl Magsayo was killed after allegedly being punched in the body by his upperclassman Cadet 2nd Class Steven Ceasar Maingat inside their dormitory on September 23.
PNP is currently conducting its own probe regarding the incident.
“Gusto naming malaman kung saan pa kami nagkulang at gusto din naming maintindihan kung bakit sa kabila ng mahigpit na babala, ay nangyari ulit ito at naging dahilan pa nang pagkamatay ng isang kadete,” said Eleazar.
(We want to know where else we are lacking and we also want to understand why despite the stern warning, it happened again, even leading to the death of a cadet.)
Despite another death caused by hazing, Eleazar assured the public, especially parents of police cadets, that the PNP does not promote the culture of hazing or any form of action that will inflict harm to the cadets inside the academy.
Meanwhile, the PNPA, for its part, has guaranteed that it is maintaining a strict “No To Hazing Policy” in the academy, “in adherence to the values of respect for human life and rights which are inculcated among their cadets and personnel.”
Earlier reports indicated that Maingat punched Magsayo at least five times in the gut which caused him to collapse. Magsayo was then rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, Maingat is already under custody of the Silang Municipal Police Station pending further investigation on the matter where appropriate charges will be filed against him.
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