Hazing case gets head of PNPA, 8 others fired
The top official of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and eight others have been relieved of their posts following an investigation into the alleged hazing of 22 plebes (first-year cadets).
“They were administratively relieved because of the investigations,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told the Inquirer on Thursday.
In an April 15 order, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. designated Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, as acting PNPA director.
Maranan replaced Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon who was transferred to the PNP Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) over the alleged hazing of 22 plebes who suffered injuries and burns after three second-year cadets applied a mixture of muriatic acid and drain cleaner on their backs.
“What triggered the reshuffle was the incident at the PNPA. Today, there will be a turnover at PRO-7 and tomorrow at the PNPA,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday.
Aside from Dizon, eight other PNPA officials were relieved from their posts and also reassigned to the PHAU. They were identified only by their ranks—a brigadier general, two colonels, two majors and three sergeants—as well as their positions. They consisted of the commandant of cadets, assistant commandant of cadets, senior tactical officer, echo tactical officer/duty officer, incoming duty officer, echo NCO (non-commissioned officer) tactical officer, administrative PNCO/duty PNCO (police non-commissioned officer] officer, and supply PNCO/duty PNCO.
Zero-tolerance standard
“In line with the PNP’s administrative action, the NHQ (National Headquarters) under PNP chief Gen. Nartatez decided to relieve the nine officials from their posts,” Tuaño said. Police personnel assigned to the PHAU typically have no specific duties.
Meanwhile, the PNP is expanding its antihazing crackdown beyond the PNPA to cover all training units nationwide.
“We are institutionalizing these reforms,” Nartatez said in a statement. “This is not just for the PNPA. This will be a zero-tolerance standard for all training centers nationwide, from recruitment to specialized courses.”
He added that the PNP will ensure the uniform implementation and monitoring of antihazing policies across all training centers.
“Consistency is key. We are strengthening our internal monitoring. There will be random inspections and stricter accountability for training directors,” Nartatez said.
Earlier, Nartatez ordered a full investigation of the alleged hazing and vowed corrective actions, including leadership changes.
The incident happened on April 3, Good Friday, inside the barracks of the 22 first-year cadets at the PNPA in Silang, Cavite. Three second-year cadets identified as Mhicco Legarda Escalante, Harold Locop Heje and Lance Elroy Guinitaran Gayramon were arrested and are facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
In a previous report, the PNP said the “plebes were blamed for an issue involving a cadet who intended to resign [leave the academy], which led to the group being punished.”
Comprehensive reforms
In a statement on Thursday, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) pushed for swift accountability and comprehensive reforms to safeguard the integrity of police training.
Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Calinisan also conducted an on-site inspection of facilities at the PNPA to assess areas where similar incidents may have taken place.
At the joint meeting of the National Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development and the PNPA Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development held at the PNPA Heroes Hall, Calinisan raised the issue before PNPA officials and key stakeholders.
“We are constituting a task force to immediately determine what is happening within the PNPA. This is a serious concern that requires swift and decisive action. We will not turn a blind eye,” he said.
“We are not just producing policemen here, we are shaping leaders. Our programs must be anchored on community-oriented, service-driven and human rights-based policing,” he added. —WITH A PNA REPORT
