MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered a nationwide review of financial records in all regional training units following allegations that police trainees were made to shoulder additional housing costs through an alleged rental kickback scheme.

The review will be conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to determine whether similar practices exist outside the Regional Special Training Unit–Cordillera, where the issue was first reported.

“We want to give the trainees and the public the assurance that this practice is illegal and our move to check and review all our training units nationwide will give them peace of mind that we will never tolerate any form of wrongdoing,” Nartatez said in a statement Wednesday.

An initial investigation showed questionable lease agreements covering 2023 to 2025. While rent was reportedly set at PHP3,000, trainees were allegedly required to pay an additional PHP600, which was said to have been used to cover the housing expenses of Field Training Officers.

A report from the PNP Training Service dated April 19, 2026, indicated that the affected batches graduated in mid-2025, but records point to possible systemic irregularities.

Nartatez directed the Directorate for Education and Training to coordinate with investigative units in building cases against those found responsible.

“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 are out of the service immediately,” he said.