W. Visayas police chief defends PNPA amid calls to abolish

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, criticized calls to abolish the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), saying it is unfair to judge the entire institution based on the misdeeds of a few alumni involved in the murder of a retired police general.

“The statement is too sweeping,” Wanky, a member of PNPA Class 1992, said in response to recent calls, including from columnist Ramon Tulfo, to close the academy.

He emphasized that, like any organization, the PNPA is not perfect, and some members may go astray.

“It’s unfair that because of the wrongdoings of a few, the sacrifices of the majority are taken for granted,” Wanky said.

Wanky highlighted the heroism of the SAF 44, a group of police officers who were ambushed and killed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and private armed groups.

Seven of the 44 officers were PNPA graduates, including the class baron of the 2009 batch.

“I hope they consider those examples and not focus solely on a few flaws seen in the organization when judging the whole institution,” he added.

Wanky stressed that the contributions of good officers far outweigh the actions of a few “bad eggs.”

The calls to abolish the PNPA surfaced after three of its graduates—Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo of the National Police Commission, former PCSO general manager Royina Garma, and Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza—were implicated in the killing of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga, a retired police general and graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Tulfo suggested scrapping the PNPA and passing a law requiring all police recruits to start at the lowest rank as beat patrol officers, claiming that PNPA cadets are poorly trained by their professors, many of whom are retired or active police officers.

In a now-deleted statement, the PNPA reaffirmed its commitment to producing “professional, morally upright, and dedicated public safety officers” guided by its core values of Justice, Integrity, and Service.

It noted that for 47 years, the academy has been at the forefront of public safety education and training, producing more than 7,400 uniformed officers, with over 5,000 currently serving in leadership roles within the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Contrary to Tulfo’s claims, the PNPA said its cadetship program focuses on academics, leadership, character development, and physical skills to prepare cadets for service excellence.

“It is unjust to judge the academy based on the actions of a few individuals, as no institution can claim absolute perfection,” the PNPA statement read.

The academy also called on its alumni and cadets to continue upholding its values and principles as they serve the nation with honor and integrity.