Several PNPA cadets face dismissal for mauling new graduates

Several cadets could be kicked out of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) over the mauling of six graduates last week.

PNPA director Chief Superintendent Joseph Adnol said 41 underclassmen, who are expected to graduate from the academy next year, are being investigated over the mauling incident that took place after the academy's graduation rites on March 21.

"For administrative case we're investigating 41, but we're zeroing into as of this moment, 15," Adnol said in a phone interview with reporters at Camp Crame.

"If they will be found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a cadet...class one offense, they will be dismissed from the Academy."

Based on PNPA's initial investigation, Adnol said the underclassmen may have wanted to "get even" with the upperclassmen who were mauled right after the graduation rites which was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 21.

The incident occurred between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. when the upperclassmen were going back to their barracks after the graduation rites.

"Ang lumalabas itong mga upperclass na ito sila 'yung mga strict in the implementation ng mga policies and of course sila 'yung laging namumuno doon if there are violations," he said.

Despite this, Adnol said that this was an isolated case as this was the first time that such incident occurred in the Academy.

National Police Commission Vice Chairman and Executive Director Rogelio Casurao said the cadets will be dismissed from the PNPA if they are found guilty.

"Well, ang mga kadete na 'yan, they have no reason to continue with their training. They have to be dismissed from the cadetship kasi masyadong mabigat, serious itong mga ginawa nila so at least this very early stage dapat hindi na ipagpatuloy sila," Casurao said.

In a separate interview on Balitanghali, retired Deputy Director General Ricardo De Leon, president of the Philippine Public Safety College, said the cadets may be slapped with two cases following the incident.

"Dalawang kaso ang haharapin nila. They are responsible itong mga kadete as far as 'yung grave misconduct is concerned and ito naman sa physical injuries naman 'yung criminal case. So dalawang kaso," De Leon said.

"They are undergoing investigation ngayon, under the supervision ni General Arnold. Bumuo siya ng investigation team, naka-isolate na sila," he added.

When asked about the condition of the mauled graduates, De Leon said the victims have been cleared of any serious injury.

"May dalawa na may sugat sa ulo, sa MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) nila wala namang... superficial wound lang 'yung inabot, lacerations. So there's nothings serious. They are cleared of serious injury. Dalawa sa kanila ang nakapagidentify ng kanilang assailants. Cases have to be filed after the investigation," De Leon said.

Adnol, meanwhile, said two of the six mauled graduates will file criminal complaints against their underclassmen with the Silang Municipal Police Station.

The two newly-commissioned officers, Police Inspectors Ylam Lambenecio and Arjay Divino, have already appeared before the police station to execute their respective complaint-affidavit, he said.

However, the other victims, identified as Police Inspectors Mark Kevin Villares, Floyd Traqueña, Jan Paul Dalapus and Jail Inspector Arjay Cuasay, who have also executed their respective affidavits, showed no interest in filing a case.

The nine underclassmen who inflicted injuries were identified by witnesses as: Cadet 2nd Class Donald Ramirez Kissing, Cadet 2nd Class Delos Santos, Cadet 2nd Class Jem Camcam Peralta, Cadet 2nd Class Clint John Baguidodol, Cadet 2nd Class Christopher De Guzman Macalalad; Cadet 2nd Class Loreto Aquino Tuliao Jr., Cadet 2nd Class Calamba, Cadet 2nd Class Coplat and Cadet 2nd Class Amanon.

"As of this moment, we have already identified 9 who will be charged criminally. In fact hinihintay pa iyong complainant doon sa police station na 'yon, probably this afternoon, the case will be filed against doon sa identified na nine na cadets, criminal case," Adnol said. —with Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG/KBK/NB, GMA News