THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, September 30, officially took full jurisdiction of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), the country’s premier training institution for PNP commissioned officers.
PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde accepted the formal transfer of the PNPA from the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) during a simple ceremony at Camp General Mariano N Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
“The transfer gives the PNP full administrative and operational supervision and control over the PNPA that is envisioned to effectively address current dysfunctions and reforms and innovations in the police training programs,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.
The transfer of jurisdiction came after the passage of the Republic Act No. 11279 last April 12, that aims to achieve the goals of a highly efficient and competent police force.
“It’s high time that we take full responsibility of the training of our police officers in order to effectively address current dysfunctions and as well as to instill an advent of new trainings to become more efficient and disciplined law enforcers of the land,” Albayalde said.
“The transfer is expected to further enhance the police training curriculum which will hopefully translate to the production of better police officers with utmost competency, high moral fiber and respect for human rights,” he added.
Through this, Albayalde said they are also hoping to address the dysfunctions in the academy particularly the maltreatment of cadets by their fellow cadets through hazing.
He said the leadership will be stricter on privileges and punishment of cadets who will be found violating rules and regulations.
Although Albayalde admitted that he was a victim of hazing when he was still a plebe at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), he said they will no longer tolerate such activities.
“Hopefully we will be able to improve the quality of the officer that we will be producing from the PNPA. Yun naman ang talagang gusto natin and hopefully ma-address din ‘yung mga dysfunctions dito particularly ‘yung mga alleged maltreatment and hazing at mga traditions na hindi naman dapat sinusunod dito sa cadet corps ng PNPA,” he said.
“Well it doesn't mean na nangyari sa amin it will happen to everybody. Hindi naman na porke nangyari sa amin ay we are promoting hazing. No, of course, kaya nga sabi ko that's for an individual perception lang yun but of course we have to follow the rule of law dito especially that we are producing law enforcers ditto who will be one day the commanders who will one day also be responsible in enforcing the laws of the land,” he added.
On October 7, the PNP is also set to take over the National Police Training Institute in Calamba, Laguna which undertakes basic training for police recruits of the PNP and other in-service mandatory training courses.
The five-year transition plan of the PNPA and NPTI transfer is underway for revision of the table of organization and equipment, even staffing pattern before submission to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approval. (SunStar Philippines)