By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Seven cadets are facing criminal charges while 42 others have been dismissed from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) over the alleged hazing of 22 underclassmen in April, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday.
Speaking at the Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel forum in Manila, Remulla said the seven upperclassmen were charged for violating Republic Act 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, while 42 others were expelled for dishonesty.
The case stemmed from an alleged hazing incident inside the PNPA in Silang, Cavite, on April 3, where 22 cadets reportedly suffered chemical burns.
The controversy earlier prompted the relief of former PNPA director Maj. Gen. Andre Dizon and other academy officials.
“Seven kinasuhan for [violation of] the Anti-Hazing Act [which] is non-bailable (Seven were charged for violation of Anti-Hazing Act which is non-bailable). The rest were dismissed from the Academy because of dishonesty. So 49 lahat ang nakasuhan doon (So there were 49 who were implicated),” Remulla said.
“‘Yung 42 kasi na present sa kuwarto habang ginagawa ‘yung karumal-dumal na bagay ay nanood lang sila, tumahimik lang sila, nagtulog-tulugan lang sila sila ang na-dismiss rin. Yun mga hindi nag witness, yung mga ayaw magsalita natanggal rin sila pero wala silang kaso kundi dishonesty lang (The 42 who were present in the room while the disgusting thing was being done just watched, they just kept quiet and pretended to be asleep, they were dismissed too. Those who didn’t testify, those who didn’t want to talk, were also dismissed but they had no charges except dishonesty),” he added.
650 fire safety officers transferred to Basilan, Tawi-Tawi
Meanwhile, in the same briefing, Remulla also disclosed that 650 fire safety inspectors (FSIs) assigned in Metro Manila had been reassigned to Basilan and Tawi-Tawi as part of a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
“Wala silang mararaket doon, dinadala ko sila sa lugar na walang aksyon (They won’t have any rackets in those places),” he added.
Remulla stressed that restoring integrity in the BFP is a priority of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under his leadership, noting that public safety agencies must remain free from organized corruption.
Former BFP chief Fire Director Jesus Fernandez and 40 others linked to the Bids and Awards Committee were earlier suspended over allegations involving a supposed PHP14.7-million kickback tied to the bureau’s ambulance procurement program in 2024.
Fire Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu now serves as acting head of the BFP. (PNA)
