MANILA — A prompt disciplinary action awaits the 41 police cadets caught on video mauling six students from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) who graduated last week, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Dela Rosa said he has turned down the offer of PNPA Director Joseph Adnol to resign following the incident shortly after the commencement ceremonies for the academy’s 106 graduates last Wednesday (March 21).
Dela Rosa noted that the incident was not part of the traditions in the academy and asked Adnol to make a thorough investigation and subsequently undertake the appropriate administrative action against those involved.
“It is not good and promotes a cycle of violence,” Dela Rosa said.
For his part, National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairman Rogelio Casurao said they will be undertaking a separate probe into the incident.
“They have to be dismissed from the cadetship kase masyadong serious itong ginawa nila (because what they did was really serious), kaya (so) at this very early stage, dapat di na ito magpatuloy sa kapulisan (this practice must stop),” Casurao said.
Dela Rosa directed Chief Supt. Ma O Aplasca, PRO-4A Regional Director, to direct the Cavite Provincial Police Office to conduct its investigation.
The PNP chief said he was approached by parents of some of the six graduates who were mauled and asked for assistance regarding the incident.
“We hoped they would allow us to work within our system first, but if they decide to initiate a criminal complaint they can also do that,”
The cadets involved allegedly mauled six of the graduating upper classmen with bare knuckles and arnis sticks shortly after the graduation ceremonies and away from the view of the public audience who attended the graduation ceremony of the 2018 Maragtas Class which was also attended by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa reiterated their request to place the PNPA under PNP organization to address the chronic shortage of personnel in the academy.
Dela Rosa explained that officers generally view being assigned to the academy as a ‘dead end’ as it is not under the present PNP organizational structure. (PNA)
