5 PNPA cadets excluded from graduation

CAMP CASTAÑEDA, Silang, Cavite – Five cadets were unable to join their graduating classmates at the Philippine National Police Academy on Thursday for violating cadet regulations and the Honor Code.

Of the five cadets, two were already dismissed by the academy while three others are still having their cases heard by a disciplinary board.

The PNPA spokesperson, Chief Insp. Ritchie Yatar, said the erring cadets were not included in the list of 253 cadets of “Masundayaw” Class of 2016 who graduated on Thursday.

“One of the five cadets is being tried for recidivism or repeat offenses, while the rest have cases before the Honor Committee,” said Yatar in an interview.

One of the dismissed cadets was a female while the rest were male cadets.

Violations of the Honor Code are heard by the Honor Committee, a student body comprised of representatives from all year levels.

Violation of the Honor Code include cases of lying, cheating and stealing.

Yatar said most violations of the Honor Code were related to academics, particularly incidents of cheating.

Two-hundred fifty three cadets comprise this year’s class, of which 19 are female and 234 are male.

Of this figure, 215 cadets will join the Philippine National Police, while 22 have decided to go to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and 16 will join the Bureau of Fire Protection.

This year’s top graduate is Cadet 1st Class Felipe Alicando Jr., 24, of Dulag, Leyte, who received the Presidential Kampilan Award.

The graduates received a degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and were commissioned as inspectors.

Their other classmates who committed violations were not as lucky.

Yatar said the two cadets who were already dismissed could not have their academic units in the PNPA credited by other institutions.

The other three who are still having their cases heard also face the possibility of being dismissed as the most severe punishment, or being “turned back” a year or having to join the next underclass.

Yatar said at least 25,000 hopefuls usually applied for entry to the PNPA every year, but only 350 were accepted each year after a rigorous application process and interview.

An average of 200 cadets graduate from the PNPA each year after finishing four years of academics, physical training as well as courses on public safety.  SFM