PNPA chief replaced over cadet’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — A new police general will head the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) following the death of a cadet allegedly at the hands of an upperclassman, the PNP said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Alex Sampaga, chief of the PNPA directorate for information and communications technology management, will assume as PNPA director starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, under whose leadership as PNPA chief the death of Cadet 3rd Class George Carl Magsayo occurred, will take over Sampaga’s post.

“As a PNPA alumnus himself, I expect Gen. Sampaga to bring in innovative ideas and fresh perspectives that will improve the institution and make each cadet live up to its core values of justice, integrity and service,” PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar said.

Magsayo died after he was reportedly beaten up by Cadet 2nd Class Steven Maingat.

Magsayo was declared dead at a hospital.

Criminal and administrative charges were filed against Maingat before the Cavite Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

The charges will be used as basis for Maingat’s dismissal from the PNPA, Eleazar said.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to all cadets of the PNPA. The PNP leadership will never tolerate this misbehavior and serious breach of discipline and moral values,” Eleazar said, adding that Filipinos expect so much from the PNPA cadets as their scholars and future protectors.

“This is not what we in the Philippine National Police had in mind and envisioned when we fought for several years for the total supervision of the PNPA,”he added.