THE chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be given the authority to appoint all cadets of the PNP Academy under a proposed PNP Reorganization Plan approved by the House of Representatives, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

As proposed, a new Section 30-A will be inserted in Republic Act No 6975 otherwise known as the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 in which ‘all cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy shall be appointed by the Chief of the PNP, or upon his authority by the PNPA Director.

The new law says that the PNPA cadets shall hold the position of Police Cadet in Temporary Status which shall be renewed every year until their graduation of separation from the Academy for just cause in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations, whichever comes first.

The proposed new law says that Police Cadets shall be entitled to all salaries, benefits and other emoluments given to a Police Executive Master Sergeant, in accordance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 6975 as amended by RA No. 11279 or the Act Transferring the PNPA and the National Police Training Institute from the Philippine Public Safety College to the PNP

PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin earlier said they have sought the assistance of the 19th Congress in enacting a law that will confer PNP Academy cadets the status of a government employee.

As proposed by the PNP Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development headed by Major Gen. Jon A. Arnaldo, the legislative bill will grant upon entry to qualified PNP cadets the status of government employees of the National Government.

As such, they will carry with them Civil Service Eligibility for appointment, therefore entitling them to salaries, privileges and necessary benefits appertaining to the position.

Gen. Azurin said they have sought the help of the House of Representatives headed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin T. Romualdez and the Senate headed by Senate President Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ F. Zubiri in approving the legislative agenda which is 3rd in their high priority. under Major Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz.

According to PNP Director for Plans, Maj. Gen. Bernard M. Banac, in pushing for an upgraded status of PNPA cadets, they are seeking amendments to RA 6975 r the law which created the PNP under a reorganized Department of Interior and Local Government in 1990 through the insertion of provisions which provide for the following:

Minimum qualifications for the appointment as PNPA Cadet; Appointment of PNPA Cadets by the Chief, PNP; Limit in the strength of cadets to only 350 cadets; PNPA Cadets shall be considered employees of the National Government in permanent status, unless dismissed from the Academy;

Police Cadets shall be entitled to salaries, benefits and other emoluments given to a Police Executive Master Sergeant (a PEMS receives a monthly base pay of 38,366); At least 10 percent of annual recruitment quota shall be reserved for females;

Exemption from PNPA Cadet Admission Test or PNPA-CAT of qualified/eligible children of police personnel cited and warded with Medalya ng Kagitingan or PNP Medal of Valor; Priority consideration for applicants in the Top 10 of the PNPA-CAT;

Corps of Professors shall be appointed as regular officers in separate promotion list in the PNPA, and in addition to the authorized number of commissioned officers authorized for the PNPA; Composition of the Academy Board of the PNPA;

Commissioning of the Police Cadets as Police Lieutenants in the PNP upon satisfactory completion of the course of instruction at the PNPA; Grant of leaves of absence with full pay to all graduates of the PNPA for a period not exceeding one (1) month, effective upon the date of graduation and;

Academic leaves of absence for the professors, assistant professors, instructors and other PNPA officers for the entire period of suspension of ordinary academy studies (academic break).

“We would like the PNPA cadets to also receive a status of government employee, similar to the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy,” Gen. Azurin, a member of PMA ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989 said.

The top cop said that under him, training enhancement will be part of the career advancement, development and competency refresher for every member of the force.

Thus, he said that 204 new PNPA graduates who have been commissioned as Police Lieutenants last year will have to undergo training from either the Philippine Army’s Scout Ranger Regiment, the Army’s Special Forces or the Philippine Marines’ Recon Training.

Gen. Azurin also ordered a thorough review of the responsiveness and relevance of the PNP training program given to PNP recruits, In-Service Police Non-Commissioned Officers and Police Commissioned Officers.

“PNPA cadets’ curriculum and medium of instruction shall also be reviewed,” he added. The responsibility has been given to the PNP-DHRDD.

In October 2019, the PNP leadership officially assumed supervision over the PNPA which is the country’s premier training institution for police commissioned officers.

The PNP took over the job previously given to the Philippine Public Safety College. With the PNPA already under its supervision, the PNP now has full responsibility on the training of future police officers.

The job will also ensure that will be able to effectively address dysfunctions in the Academy and instill real discipline among the future police colonels and generals.

The PNP proposed legislative agenda says that upon qualification and entry into the PNPA, the Cadets shall have a salary of Grade 19 and shall receive benefits and privileges in conformity with other existing laws.

Section 36 of RA 6975 was previously amended by RA 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998. The amended law says that “the uniformed members of the PNP shall be considered employees of the National Government and shall draw their salaries therefrom. They shall have the same salary grade level as that of public school teachers:

Provided, That PNP members assigned in Metropolitan Manila, chartered cities and first class municipalities may be paid financial incentive by the local government unit concerned subject to the availability of funds,” the amended law also said.

. The House Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Laguna (1st District) Representative Dan S. Fernandez has approved the proposed reorganization plan of the police force, said Maj. Gen. Banac.

According to the official, the House Committee on Public Order and Safety has adopted the report and draft bill prepared by Technical Working Group chairman, retired Police General-turned Antipolo City (2nd District) Rep. Romeo M. Acop.

“It will be presented during the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives. Hopefully, it will be categorized as Priority Bills and certified as urgent by both Houses,” said the official who has been praised by Gen. Azurin for his ‘miracle work’ in Congress.

Maj. Gen. Banac, a former PNP spokesperson who also became a PNP Training Service director and Police Regional Office 8 commander in Eastern Visayas, said they have gotten the full support of House Speaker Romualdez and Senate President Zubiri in their bid to further reform the 227,000-strong police force and improve its ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities under the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon