The Philippine National Police (PNP) has initiated a system-wide audit of financial records in its regional training units after allegations surfaced that trainees were being charged extra fees to help cover the housing costs of their superiors.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the investigation following reports from the Regional Special Training Unit in the Cordillera Administrative Region (RSTU-CAR), where recruits were allegedly made to shoulder additional rental payments under a kickback scheme.
He directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to determine whether similar practices exist in other training units nationwide.
“We want to assure trainees and the public that this practice is illegal. This review of all training units nationwide is meant to ensure that we will not tolerate any form of wrongdoing,” Nartatez said.
Initial findings showed questionable lease agreements from 2023 to 2025. While the standard monthly rent was set at ₱3,000, recruits were reportedly required to pay an additional ₱600 “top-up,” allegedly used to cover the housing expenses of their Field Training Officers (FTOs).
A report from the PNP Training Service dated April 19, 2026 indicated that although the last batch of affected trainees graduated in mid-2025, the practice may have been systemic.
Nartatez stressed that the PNP will not tolerate exploitation within its ranks and ordered the Directorate for Education and Training to coordinate with investigative units in building cases against those involved.
“I have ordered a mandatory audit of all lease agreements involving trainees. Dapat transparent at documented ang bawat sentimo. If you are found guilty of squeezing money from our recruits, you will be removed from the service immediately,” he added.
Authorities are now consolidating evidence for possible criminal and administrative charges as the investigation expands beyond the Cordillera unit.