PNP chief warns of ‘culture of violence’

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered on Sunday a review of the rules and policies at the PNP Academy (PNPA) following the death of another cadet purportedly due to hazing.

Eleazar cautioned, in a statement, that if the malpractice is not effectively corrected immediately, PNPA graduates might bring this “culture of violence” to security organizations.

“It is not through physical punishment and beating that the character of a cadet, or anyone else, is molded but through good teachings, intelligent exchange of ideas, and proper adherence to good conduct,” Eleazar said.

“[That is] the essence of the learning process, especially in an academic institution that trains future leaders of the [Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection and the PNP],” he said.

“We cannot claim to be products of an institution that puts premium on integrity, service and justice if we cannot practice them ourselves,” Eleazar added.

While the investigation of the death of Cadet 3rd Class George Carl Magsayo has yet to be concluded, there were indications that he was subjected to hazing immediately before he died on Sept. 24.

Eleazar ordered PNPA director Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento and PNP human resources director Brig. Gen. Arthur Bisnar to review and adjust PNPA policies after indications of another death due to hazing since 2019.

Armamento initially reported that Magsayo, 21, from Pagadian City, was punched in the belly five times by an upperclassman inside a room in their dormitory at Camp Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, on Sept. 23 before he collapsed and was brought to the hospital.

He was declared dead on arrival at Qualimed Hospital in Santa Rosa, Laguna, the following day.

There was still no report of Magsayo’s autopsy on Sunday, but the upperclassman, identified as Cadet 2nd Class Caesar Steve Maingat, was under the custody of the Silang police.

“We want to find out which areas have not been addressed and we want to understand how, despite our stern warning, it happened again, which resulted in the death of [another] cadet,” he stressed. INQ