The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured swift and impartial action following the filing of a criminal complaint against a police training instructor accused of sexual coercion involving a female trainee at the Cordillera Administrative Region Training Center (CARTC) in Baguio City.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered a nationwide review of training policies and the implementation of stricter safeguards against harassment and misconduct, stressing the need to prevent similar incidents in training environments.
“The PNP maintains its zero-tolerance policy against misconduct within the organization. I have instructed our offices and units to review existing policies and implement stringent measures to ensure that any form of improper, unlawful, or unethical behavior is not only sanctioned but also prevented,” Nartatez said.
The complaint, filed before the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office, involves a police senior master sergeant assigned as a training instructor at CARTC. The case was initially filed under Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law, but was later reclassified as sexual coercion under Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. It has yet to be formally docketed pending evaluation by the Office of the City Prosecutor.
Nartatez emphasized that accountability will be pursued in line with due process, as both criminal and administrative investigations proceed.
“All violations of rules and regulations will result in administrative and criminal sanctions against personnel who commit such acts. Hindi natin ito palalagpasin at pananagutin natin sila ayon sa batas,” he said.
On the administrative side, the Philippine National Police Training Institute initially handled the investigation before jurisdiction was assumed by the National Police Commission in the Cordillera Administrative Region, led by Regional Director Atty. George Aplas Daskeo, on April 17.
In response, the PNP chief also directed all units to strengthen Gender and Development (GAD) programs, require gender sensitivity and anti-sexual harassment training, and ensure the installation and proper maintenance of CCTV systems in training areas, except in private spaces such as restrooms and changing rooms.
He further ordered that trainees must not be left in isolated or unsupervised situations, reinforcing protective measures across all police training institutions.