2 ranking PNP officers face suspension over ‘sympathy march’ controversy

RANKING police officers face suspension and forfeiture of their benefits for discouraging graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy from joining the “sympathy march” for slain 44 troopers last March 8.

The Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PNPAAAI) imposed sanctions against Senior Superintendent Jerome Baxinela and Senior Superintendent Bernado Borrinaga for violating the association’s disciplinary rules and procedures.

Retired Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III said Monday that Baxinela would be suspended for three years as the chapter president in Camp Crame while Borrinaga will serve one-year suspension as the chapter president for the National Capital Region Police Office’s Regional Support Group.

Rentoy earlier revealed that Baxinela had sent a text message dissuading PNPA alumni in Camp Crame from participating in the 44-kilometer “Sympathy March for SAF (Special Action Force) 44” to pay tribute to six PNPA alumni who died in the January 25 operation in Maguindanao.

Similar to Baxinela’s case, Borrinaga texted PNPA graduates who are members of the chapter he led that that the march had been cancelled because of the participation other groups who will “exploit” the activity.

“Members meted with indefinite, three and one-year suspensions will likewise be deprived of their benefits and privileges as well as functions appurtenant thereto. The Board has unanimously approved immediate implementation of its decisions,” Rentoy said in a statement.

Rentoy said Baxinela, a member of PNPA class of 1984 and a PNPAAAI board trustee, actively took part in the series of meeting and planning for the march from Cavite to Quezon City.

He was also designated as chairman of the committee for security of the event that coincided with the 40th day of mourning for the 44 policemen.

But two days before the event, Baxinela circulated a text message urging all Camp Crame chapter members not to attend the march.
“It was an act of disobeying, opposing and countermanding the implementation of the Board’s lawful instructions,” Rentoy said.

In an earlier Inquirer report, Rentoy said he believed Baxinela was pressured to prevent fellow alumni from supporting the activity.

But in a statement after the sympathy march, Baxinela vehemently denied acting “under pressure,” saying he made the call on his own without instigation from any official.

“As a suspended officer from the PNPAAAI, Baxinela will be deprived of benefits and privileges such as hospitalization, medical assistance, loans, among others. Since he will be retiring in the next few months, the PNPAAAI board will also not give him retirement honors which are officially due to a retiring alumnus,” he added. AC