PNPA director fired as probes into abuse among cadets start

MANILA, Philippines— Department of the Interior and Local Government OIC Eduardo Año on Wednesday has sacked the director of the Philippine National Police Academy over allegations that senior cadets had imposed oral sex on some cadets as punishment.

“OIC-Secretary Año has ordered the immediate relief of the PNPA Director, Chief Superintendent Joseph [Adnol] for command responsibility and to pave the way for an impartial investigation into the incident,” Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, DILG spokesperson, said in a release.

The PNPA is also accused of imposing hazing on its students.

Although the law regulating hazing does not cover "the physical, mental and psychological testing and training procedure and practices to determine and enhance the physical, mental and psychological fitness of prospective regular members" of the police and military, those activities must be authorized by, in this case, the director general of the PNP.

Año relieved Adnol from his post a day after news broke that three police cadets allegedly forced two academy freshmen to perform oral sex . The incident allegedly occurred on October 6.

READ: Albayalde: PNPA cadets who allegedly forced plebes to perform oral sex should be dismissed

Due to the incident, Malaysa said Año also directed the Philippine Public Safety College president Ricardo De Leon to investigate the issue and carry out measures to ensure that no such incident will happen again in the academy. The PNPA is one of the constitutive units of the PPSC.

“We should not tolerate such scandalous acts in our ranks.  The PPSC should act with dispatch to ensure that the true ideals, values, and discipline in the academy will continuously be upheld,” Año said.

Año said the PNP shall conduct a separate probe into the incident to determine the cadets’ criminal liability.

On Tuesday, Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, said he has not yet received official reports on the issue yet but said he would order the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to investigate the incident.

'Contrary to the ideals of the PNPA'

Initial reports said the incident occurred behind the barracks within the academy premises.

An upperclassman allegedly ordered two freshmen to perform oral sex on each other as a punishment for disobedience. Two other senior cadets were reportedly present when it happened and did not do anything to stop it.

The DILG chief condemned the controversial punishments and said it is “contrary to the ideals of the PNPA.”

“We should not allow this so-called tradition or culture of violence to continue within the hallowed halls of the PNPA. It is contrary to the ideals of PNPA as the premier institution that produces the future police, fire and jail officers in our country,” Año said.

The respondent cadets have been placed in isolation. They are expected to face administrative cases and a criminal charge for hazing.

Adnol on Tuesday said the PNP is filing an administrative case against the respondent cadets while the victims are filing a separate criminal case.

Albayalde also assured the public that the cases against the respondents will lead to their dismissal from the adacemy.

Last March, the PNPA was also tagged in a scandal where six graduating upperclassmen were beaten up by 40 PNPA cadets on their graduation day.  The PNP has since requested the DILG to turn over the management of the PNPA to the PNP's National Headquarters.

Albayalde on Tuesday said he has also ordered the dismissal of police officers who have stayed in the PNPA for the past two years to prevent untoward incidents from happening. —Rosette Adel