Rental kickback modus in CAR triggers nationwide policy review in PNP regional training centers
The alleged free accommodation modus of police training officers at the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) triggered a nationwide financial scrutiny and police review of all regional training of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
It started when Field Training Officers (FTOs) of the Regional Special Training Unit (RSTU) were accused of requiring police recruits to subsidize the housing costs of their superior officers through a rental kickback scheme and PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. wants to know if the same illegal practice is being done in other regions.
Nartatez said he already tasked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to check if the scheme exists in other regions—and to put a stop on it once if there is any.
“We want to give the trainees and the public the assurance that this practice is illegal and, and our move to check and review all our training units nationwide will give them a peace of mind that we will never tolerate any form of wrongdoings,” said Nartatez.
An initial investigation uncovered questionable lease agreements from 2023 to 2025. While the standard monthly rent for trainees was capped at P3,000, recruits were reportedly coerced into paying an additional P600 “top-up” fee.
This extra collection was allegedly used to cover the rental fees of FTOs.
A PNP Training Service (PNPTS) report dated April 19 indicated that while the last batches of the affected program graduated in mid-2025, the historical records point to systemic malpractice.
Nartatez emphasized that the PNP will not tolerate the exploitation of subordinates to fund the personal stay of their superiors.
He told the Directorate for Education and Training (TDET) to coordinate with the CIDG and ACG through the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to consolidate evidence for both criminal and administrative charges against those involved in the Cordillera unit.
“I have ordered a mandatory audit of all lease agreements involving trainees. If you are found guilty of squeezing money from our recruits, you are out of the service immediately,” said Nartatez.