Eleazar wants review of PNPA policies after cadet's death

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar is seeking a review of the PNP Academy's rules and regulations and academic policies after a cadet died last Thursday.

“I have already directed the Director, PNPA PMGen Rhoderick Armamento, and Director, DHRDD (Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development) PBGen Arthur Bisnar, to conduct the necessary review and adjustments on the existing rules, regulations and academic policies to further strengthen the moral foundation of our cadets in the PNPA,” Eleazar said in a statement on Sunday.

Earlier, the PNP leadership said a probe on the death of Cadet 3rd Class George Karl Magsayo is ongoing.

On Sept. 23, Magsayo’s upperclassman, Cadet Second Class Steve Ceasar Maingat reportedly punched him at least five times.

Magsayo collapsed after the attack and was brought to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Eleazar said he wanted to determine if the rules are strict enough to prevent these incidents.

He also assured the public that "PNP will never promote the culture of hazing or any form of action that will inflict harm to the cadets inside the academy."

The PNP Chief also visited the PNP Academy on Sunday afternoon to condole with Magsayo's mother, with whom he committed that justice will be served for what he described as an “unfortunate incident.”

“Para makausap ang magulang, partikular ang nanay ni Cadet 3rd Class Magsayo, para iparating ang pakikiramay ng buong PNP pati na rin siyempre ng PNPA sa unfortunate incident ng pagkasawi ng kaniyang anak at iparating sa kanya na mananagot ang responsable dito,” he said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(To talk with the parents, particularly the mother of Cadet 3rd Class Magsayo and to extend the condolences of the PNP and the whole PNPA on the unfortunate incident that lead to the death of her child, and to commit to her that justice will be served.)

PNPA, for its part, guaranteed that it is maintaining strict “No To Hazing Policy” in adherence to the values of respect for human life and rights that are inculcated among their cadets and personnel.

PNPA Public Information Office representative Police Lieutenant Colonel Louie Gonzaga assured that the agency is also looking into the matter and that those responsible will be held liable.

“He (Maingat) is very much apologetic, remorseful, and resentful of what happened,” Gonzaga said in the same 24 Oras Weekend report.

“Sabi niya hindi niya ginusto ‘yung nangyari (He said he did not intend for what happened), but then again meron tayong batas (we have laws.). Whether you premeditated or not, pero ganon ‘yung naging (but that is the) output, you have to face the consequences,” he added.

Maingat is staying at Silang Municipal Police Station's custody pending further investigation on the matter, said Eleazar. Complaints will be filed against the cadet, he added. —LBG, GMA News