PNPA exec charged over cadet’s ‘sexual assault’

MANILA, Philippines — Administrative charges were filed yesterday against an official of the Philippine National Police Academy who allegedly sexually assaulted a PNPA cadet in Silang, Cavite last month.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) said the official, who was arrested shortly after he allegedly committed the offense, was assigned at the PNPA tactics group.

Complaints of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer were filed against the respondent before the Napolcom’s legal affairs service, according to Edman Pares of the Napolcom inspection, monitoring and investigation services.

Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said they would give the accused, a police major, an opportunity to express his side during hearings.

“Several processes will be conducted to show the pieces of evidence and stipulation of facts,” Calinisan said.

Earlier, charges of acts of lasciviousness were filed against the officer based on a complaint filed by the 23-year-old victim.

Reports said the officer asked the cadet, who was drunk, to massage him at the academy’s barracks.

The officer reportedly took off his clothes and ordered the cadet to do the same. The complainant said the officer even showed him how to perform a body massage and started touching him.

The cadet sought assistance from a security guard and policemen, who arrested the officer.