Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has designated Maj. Gen. Alex Sampaga as the new director of the PNP Academy (PNPA) following the death of another cadet last week.
Sampaga will replace Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento effective Sept. 29.
“As a PNPA alumnus himself, I expect 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,” Eleazar said in a video message Monday.
Eleazar personally visited Sunday the wake of PNPA cadet George Karl Magsayo, who reportedly died of hazing-related injuries, at the PNPA compound in Silang, Cavite.
“I am disheartened that the very institution which 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 added.
Eleazar said a criminal case would be filed against Cadet 2nd Class Steven Ceasar Maingat in connection with the death of Magsayo. A separate administrative case would be filed against Maingat, which Eleazar said would assure his dismissal from the PNPA.
The Commission on Human Rights on Monday stepped into the investigation and launched its own probe.
“CHR is deeply concerned with the death of Third Class Cadet George Carl Magsayo after allegedly being repeatedly punched by his upperclassman in the PNPA. CHR Region IV-A is now conducting an independent probe to ensure justice for Magsayo and to ascertain that preventive measures are taken that will protect young cadets from suffering the same fate,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.
“It is strongly condemnable that another tragic death happened due to violence within an institution where young people are supposed to build their dreams, acquire skills, and develop their character.
This incident glaringly deviates from the values of justice, integrity, and service that the institution espouses,” she added.
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