Police instructor faces probe; trainee cries rape
The Philippine National Police placed a 41-year-old police training instructor under restrictive custody and launched investigations after a female trainee accused him of raping her twice inside a Cordillera facility earlier this year.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Sunday that the instructor has been disarmed and transferred to the PNP training headquarters in Laguna while criminal and administrative cases are prepared against him.
Depending on the severity of the crime, administrative sanctions include summary dismissal from service, suspension, reprimand, demotion in rank, forfeiture of salary and restrictive custody.
Criminal sanctions include reclusion perpetua (or imprisonment for 40 years for each count), although the once heinous crime of rape is also covered by Republic Act No. 10592, or the Good Conduct Time Allowance law.
Based on initial findings, the 23-year-old complainant filed a formal complaint on April 13, alleging she was sexually assaulted twice.
The first incident allegedly occurred on Jan. 20 at around 2 a.m., while the second happened on Feb. 8 at about 1 p.m., both inside the Cordillera Administrative Region Training Center in Baguio City.
The trainee claimed she was called to the instructor’s barracks on both occasions where the alleged incidents occurred. She already submitted a sworn affidavit and is currently undergoing psychological assessment.
“To our personnel, especially women: you are safe to speak up. You are protected and we will not abandon you. We will act swiftly and fairly,” said Nartatez in a mix of English and Filipino.
“We assure the public that due process will be observed. The complainant is undergoing proper support and evaluation as part of the investigation,” the top cop said.
Nartatez emphasized that the case would be handled with urgency and transparency, adding they “take this allegation with utmost seriousness.”
Previous incidents
The latest rape incident at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) followed the arrest in July 2025 of a tactical officer who was accused of getting a 23-year-old male cadet, undressing him under the guise of a massage and forcing the cadet to perform oral sex on him. Two more cadets later filed similar complaints against the same officer.
The complaint of the male cadet was filed as acts of lasciviousness, but the National Police Commission stated that the incident legally constitutes rape, which could lead to the suspect’s dismissal from service if proven true.
Rape of males is legally recognized as rape by sexual assault, which is penalized by imprisonment of six to twelve years.
The latest female victim filed the complaint after a hazing incident involving 22 cadets of the PNPA in Cavite.
Nartatez ordered the investigation of PNPA director Maj. Gen. Andre Dizon and eight other academy officials for allegedly failing to immediately report the incident when it happened on April 3.
The PNP chief later relieved Dizon and was replaced by Central Visayas regional police chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan.
Also relieved were commandant of cadets Brig. Gen. Gonzalo Villamor Jr. and assistant commandant of cadets Col. Roman dela Cruz Jr., as well as the three upperclassmen, were arrested four days later and immediately charged with violations of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act.
