By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan / Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has designated Maj. Gen. Alex Sampaga as the new director of the PNP Academy (PNPA) following the death of another cadet.
The appointment of Sampaga, who replaces Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, takes effect Sept. 29, Wednesday. Armamento takes over the post vacated by Sampaga as director of the PNP Directorate for Information and Communications Technology.
“As a PNPA alumnus himself, I expect Maj. Gen. Sampaga to bring in innovative ideas and fresh perspective that would effectively implement the necessary adjustments in further improving the institution for each cadet to live up to its core values of Justice, Integrity and Service,” Eleazar said in a video message Monday (Sept. 27).
The top cop personally visited Sunday in the wake of PNPA cadet George Karl Magsayo, who reportedly died of hazing-related injuries, at the PNPA compound in Silang, Cavite.
“I am disheartened that the very institution which he considered as a second home and fully trusted for protection, for learning, and for honing of skills to be an officer of the law in the future had failed him,” Eleazar said. “This method of inflicting physical pain and other twisted concepts of instituting discipline and imposing punishment on cadets must stop, and it starts now.”
Eleazar said a criminal case would be filed against Cadet 2nd Class Steven Ceasar Maingat on Monday in connection with the death of Magsayo. A separate administrative case would be filed against Maingat, which Eleazar said would assure his dismissal from the PNPA.
Cadets are warned that misbehavior and “serious breach of discipline and moral values” will never be tolerated.
“Hindi sa sakitan at sa bugbugan nahuhubog ang pagkatao ng isang kadete o kahit ninuman kung hindi sa magagandang aral, matalinong palitan ng ideya at tamang pagpapasunod ng kabutihang asal (It is not through physical punishment and beating that the character of a cadet or anyone else is molded but through good teachings, wise exchange of ideas and proper adherence to good manners),” Eleazar said. (PNA) – bny
