PNPA chief orders closure of illegal establishments

MANILA, Philippines - At least 17 business establishments and concessionaires found illegally operating inside the compound of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) at Camp Castañeda in Silang, Cavite were ordered yesterday to vacate the premises in 24 hours.

PNPA director Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino issued the notice of closure to the business establishments after an investigation showed that they were operating “without a contract of service or memorandum of agreement, which is contrary to the rule of law.”

“In addition, the illegitimate business establishments do not pay rentals, and water and electricity, resulting in substantial losses to the government estimated at several millions of pesos,” Constantino said.

The PNPA’s Chief Inspectorate and Legal Office, the camp commander and the base security force served the notice of closure yesterday.

The establishments include several food service stores and stalls, a mineral water service provider, two tailoring shops, a barbershop, a travel agency desk, souvenir shops, and a printing shop, among others.

“After 24 hours, if some will refuse to vacate, we will give them a final notice to vacate. Then 24 hours thereafter, PNPA will padlock their establishments and deny them entry to the PNPA campus,” Constantino said.

Constantino said the Office of the Ombudsman conducted a fact-finding investigation last year and uncovered the existence of several illegal establishments in the PNPA premises.

The Ombudsman’s findings led to the filing of administrative and criminal complaints against five former PNPA directors and several others, said Constantino, who assumed the PNPA command last April.