PNPA head, 3 others relieved over hazing

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. ordered yesterday the relief of the head and three other officials of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite in connection with the fatal hazing of cadet Jeoffrey Andawi last Jan. 5.

Relieved were Senior Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr., PNPA director; Superintendent Roman Felix, Andawi’s commandant; Superintendent George Rabina, camp commander; and Senior Inspector Rizalito Gapas, tactical officer of Alpha Company where Andawi belonged.

Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Varilla was appointed as Radovan’s replacement.

The four PNPA officials lost their posts for failing to implement the academy’s anti-hazing policy.

Andawi, a native of Sagad, Mt. Province, died from head injuries during hazing inside a comfort room at the PNPA’s academic building.

Charges have been filed against the hazing suspect, Cadet Third Class Jomari Pulquiso.

Lina directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to expedite its probe on Pulquiso and another third class cadet, Darwin Balog-ang.