Baguio city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday vowed swift and impartial justice after a criminal complaint was filed against a police training instructor accused of sexual coercion involving a female trainee in Baguio City. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered all units to tighten policies and strengthen safeguards in training environments to prevent similar incidents.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez has instructed 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. The complaint, filed before the Baguio City Prosecutor's Office, names a police senior master sergeant assigned to the Cordillera Administrative Region Training Center (CARTC).
The case, initially filed under Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law, was reclassified as sexual coercion under Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. The complaint was received by Prosecutor Ma. Nenita Opiana but has yet to be docketed as of April 20, pending evaluation.
Nartatez emphasized that accountability will be enforced while ensuring due process and coordination between investigators and prosecutors. He stated that all violations of rules and regulations will result in the filing of administrative and criminal sanctions against personnel who commit such misdeeds.
The PNP Training Institute handled the investigation until April 17, when the National Police Commission in the Cordillera Administrative Region took jurisdiction. Nartatez confirmed that both criminal and administrative cases remain active.
In response to the incident, Nartatez ordered stronger Gender and Development programs, mandatory gender sensitivity and anti-sexual harassment training, and the installation of functional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in training areas, excluding private spaces. He added that trainees must not be left isolated or unsupervised to prevent misconduct.
