3 PNPA cadets nabbed for hazing 20 schoolmates
Three Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadets were arrested for allegedly hazing over 20 underclassmen, the law enforcement agency said on Friday.
The police said the incident took place at the academy’s barracks in Camp General Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, early morning on April 3.
The supposed hazing activity was discovered by the authorities also on April 3, the law enforcement agency noted in another statement earlier on Friday.
But, according to an initial police report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the Calabarzon region, the three implicated cadets—all sophomores—were taken into custody on the night of April 7.
The initial CIDG 4A police report also specified that there were at least 22 victims.
Neither the PNP nor CIDG statements explained why there was a four-day gap between when the incident was supposedly discovered and when the implicated cadets were arrested.
Evidence of cruelty
However, the PNP detailed that the victims were found with burns and injuries from being “exposed to a mix of drain cleaner and muriatic acid.”
“The hazing began after the plebes (freshmen) were blamed for an issue involving a cadet who intended to resign, which led to the group being punished,” the agency explained.
The three implicated cadets have since undergone inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act. They may also be expelled from the PNPA.
In connection with the alleged incident, the police are also investigating seven other John Does to determine their involvement in the incident and the tactical officer assigned to supervise the cadets at the time has been relieved from his post.
The victims are now being given medical attention and psychological support, the PNP added.
“Let me be clear that the PNP has zero tolerance for hazing. We do not condone this. Despite our warnings, some chose to disregard the law,” Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. maintained in the statement.
“There are no sacred cows here. We are building a police force that is disciplined and professional,” he stressed.
For its part, in a statement also on Friday, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) condemned the alleged hazing incident and ordered the creation of a task force to investigate the purported activity.
“All individuals found to have direct and indirect participation in the hazing shall be held administratively liable, without prejudice to the filing of appropriate criminal charges under existing laws,” Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Calinisan said in the statement.
“This must never happen, under any circumstance, in any institution, and most especially not in one entrusted with shaping the leaders of the nation’s law enforcers,” he added.
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
