PNPA says alleged maltreatment of cadet is ”isolated” incident

November 8, 2019

The Philippine National Police Academy ( PNPA) said the maltreatment case of Fourth Class cadet John Desiderio is only an "isolated" incident.

Police Brigadier General Jon Arnaldo, PNPA's Dean for Academics, made the statement Friday after he was asked on how they can urge parents to allow  children to enter the academy following the alleged maltreatment incident.

"The incident...is only an isolated case," said Arnaldo.

According to him, the PNPA has 1,050 cadets and more than 200 fourth class cadets, which include Desiderio.

"This is an isolated case being addressed by the Philippine National Police Academy right now," he said.

Arnaldo said PNPA has an internal rules and regulations to address hazing.

"We have a cadet guide, we have set of policies. We are not tolerating unauthorized exercises, hazing. We are an institution that promotes discipline... so the Philippine National Police Academy is an institution that emphasize discipline among the cadets," he said.

Arnaldo said for last year, PNPA received around 14,000 applicants and around 300 joined the 2018 class.

"Right now, we have 22, 573 applicants nationwide and we will only get 350," he said.

The PNPA dean said cadets which are considered government scholars receive P38,000 monthly training allowance. All expenses are paid by the government.

"That is equivalent to the salary and allowances of a Police Executive Master Sergeant of the Philippine National Police," said Arnaldo.

The PNPA entrance examination will be held on November 10 at 31 testing centers nationwide simultaneously. Ella Dionisio/DMS