Cadets to face criminal raps over beating incident – PNPA exec

At least nine Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadets could be facing criminal charges over the beating of newly-graduated police inspectors, the school director said on Monday.

PNPA Director Chief Supt. Joseph C. Adnol said the Silang, Cavite prosecutors might file the criminal complaint against the third year PNPA cadets on Monday afternoon.

“And as of this moment, we have already identified nine who will be charged criminally. In fact, hinihintay pa ‘yung complainant doon sa (Silang) police station ngayon. Probably a case will be filed against doon sa identified na nine cadets, criminal case,” Adnol said in a phone interview with reporters.

[In fact, we are currently waiting for the complainant to appear at the (Silang) police station. Probably a criminal case will be filed against those nine cadets we have identified.]

The complaints were initiated by police inspectors Ylam Lambenecio and Arjay Divino.

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa has confirmed that six newly-graduated PNPA inspectors of the Maragtas Class 2018 were rushed to the hospital after being beaten by their underclassmen right after the Academy’s commencement exercises on March 21.

The newly-commissioned police officers suffered from lacerations and wounds but were already discharged from the hospital, Adnol said.

READ: Bato wants PNPA ‘tradition’ stopped to snip ‘cycle of violence’

Adnol said a PNPA panel has launched its investigation on the 41 cadets involved in the incident, and zeroed in on the participation of 15 trainees.

He also said the cadets could be dismissed from the PNPA if they would be found guilty of gross misconduct, which is considered as a Class 1 offense under PNPA policies.

“If they will be found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a cadet or an officer which is a class one offense they will be dismissed from the Academy,” he said.

Resignation

Meanwhile, Adnol confirmed he had offered his resignation to Dela Rosa because he was ashamed of the incident.

“Yes because I am ashamed of what really transpired. Personally, I was caught unaware that something will happen because when I graduated in the Academy there is no such tradition,” he said.

Adnol denied Dela Rosa’s confirmation that such ritual takes place in the Academy.

He also said the PNPA does not allow “dunking,” a pre-graduation practice allowed under the Philippine Military Academy in which the senior cadet would be thrown into the swimming pool.

Dela Rosa condemned the incident and asked the PNPA to stop the violent tradition.  /kga