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PNP denies favoring PMA grads over PNPA alumni


MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is not favoring graduates from the Philippine Military Academy over those of the PNP Academy and lateral entrants in terms of getting assignments. This was the statement of PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome in response to a paid advertisement about the alleged “undue advantage" being enjoyed by PMA graduates over PNPA graduates, lateral entrants and rank and file in terms of promotion and assignments to key positions. “We follow the same ladder in the promotion. We have the same career paths," Bartolome said. According to Bartolome, only members of the PNP Directorial Staff are allowed to be part of the Senior Officers Promotion and Placement Board (SOPPB), which is in accordance with a the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) order that created the SOPPB. The ad, placed by a group calling themselves “concerned PNPA alumni," complained that PNPA alumni and lateral entrants can not be part of the SOPPB. Bartolome said that right now, the most senior graduate of the PNPA has the rank only of Chief Superintendent (one-star rank), which disqualifies them from being a part of the Directorial Staff. "The most senior graduate of the PNP is from the class of 1980. So, nobody from that class is qualified yet for the 15 posts in the SOPPB. But they will have their own time (in the coming years)," Bartolome said. Right now, the members of the SOPPB are from the PMA Classes of 1975, 1976 and 1977, with ranks ranging from Deputy Director General (three-star) up to Director (two-star). Bartolome said proof also that PMA graduates are not being favored is the fact that no one from the PMA Class of 1980 – where he belongs - have been promoted to one-star rank, which is unlike their counterpart in the PNPA. He said that there are two members PNPA Class of 1980 in the PNP who have a one-star rank – Chief Supt. Danilo Abarzosa and former Manila Police District (MPD) Director Chief Supt. Pedro Bulaong. They also have seven other classmates who are now with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection with the same rank, according to Abarzosa, now the superintendent of the PNPA. Among the lateral entrants, Bartolome said there are Chief Supt. Yolanda Tanigue and Chief Supt. Federico Damatac, Jr. who were also given the one-star rank. "Not one from the PMA class of 1980 was promoted to a star rank. So this proves that what is stated in the publication is not correct," Bartolome said, adding that even key positions in the municipality and city levels are mostly occupied by PNPA graduates, with 384 as chiefs of police, as compared to only 27 PMA alumni. As an alumnus of PNPA, Abarzosa said he is clueless on the identities of the people behind the advertisement that came out Tuesday. "No, definitely I don't feel any discrimination because I myself is one of those who reached this position based on my hard work and sacrifices," Abarzosa said. Bartolome said the PNP leadership will try to determine those behind the advertisement, although he assures there is no basis to the allegations. He also expressed confidence that the issue will not cause divisiveness among the PNP officers “because we are united." - GMANews.TV
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