PNPAcademy gets new director

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar

Following the death of another police cadet-trainee, the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) gets a new director.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has designated Maj. Gen. Alex Sampaga as the new PNPA director, replacing PMaj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, who takes over Sampaga’s post as chief of the PNP Directorate for Information and Communications Technology.

Eleazar said that as a PNPA alumnus himself, he expects Maj. Gen. Sampaga “to bring in innovative ideas and fresh perspective that would effectively implement the necessary adjustments in further improving the institution for each cadet to live up to its core values of Justice, Integrity and Service.”

Sampaga takes over on September 29. Eleazar personally visited the PNPA Sunday in the wake of Cadet George Karl Magsayo, who reportedly died of hazing-related injuries, at the Academy’s compound in Silang, Cavite.

“I am disheartened that the very institution he considered as a second home and fully trusted for protection, for learning, and for honing of skills to be an officer of the law in the future had failed him,” Eleazar said.

“This method of inflicting physical pain and other twisted concepts of instituting discipline and imposing punishment on cadets must stop, and it starts now,” he stressed.

Eleazar said a criminal case would be filed against Cadet 2nd Class Steven Ceasar Maingat in connection with the Magsayo’s death. A separate administrative case would be filed against Maingat, which would ensue his dismissal from the PNPA.

“Cadets are warned that misbehavior and serious breach of discipline and moral values will never be tolerated. It is not through physical punishment and beating that the character of a cadet or anyone else is molded but through good teachings, wise exchange of ideas and proper adherence to good manners,” Eleazar stressed.