PNPA cadets in beating of graduates face dismissal

MANILA, Philippines —  Nine cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) who beat up members of their graduating class last March have been recommended for dismissal.

Chief Superintendent Joseph Adnol, PNPA director, said two other cadets were recommended for suspension and 31 for demerits while two others were exonerated.

Adnol said the cadets, whose identities were witheld pending the resolution of their cases, were given 10 days to submit their respective motions for reconsideration.

“The decision was released on Aug. 10... They are given 10 days to submit their motion for reconsideration... This means the deadline is today,” Adnol told The STAR yesterday.

Two PNPA graduates filed charges against their underclassmen for beating them up as they returned to their barracks at Camp Castañeda on March 21. The underclassmen reportedly used rattan sticks and rocks in beating up the graduates.

Two of the graduates now have ranks of inspectors.

Philippine Public Safety College president Ricardo de Leon had earlier said some of the cadets have been isolated after administrative and criminal charges were filed against them.

De Leon said some cadets justified their action as part of the “traditional dunking” in a swimming pool of their underclassmen.

“Perhaps the incident was a traditional dunking that went wrong,” he said.