2 ROTC officers in hot water for hazing-like punishment on PUP student

A first year student of Polytechnic University of the Philippines has accused two Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) officers of physically abusing her.

A report on “24 Oras” Wednesday said the 18-year-old victim claimed she was hit on the leg seven times with a wooden rifle by her female ROTC officer last month.

Showing pictures of her bruises, the victim said she was also hit six times by another officer, a male, in the hand.

She said the incident took place after she failed to attend their briefing night on January 16.

“Pinaliwanag ko naman sa kanila na di ako pinayagan ng nanay ko. Tapos sabi may parusa daw,” the victim said, adding aside from her, another student also experienced the same punishment at the hands of the ROTC officers.

The victim has already filed a case against the two officers, who are both PUP students, with the university administration, the report said.

“Pag nalaman o napatunayan na may pananagutan under the rule ng school, dismissal ang punishment,” said lawyer Merito Lovensky Fernandez, the university board secretary.

The first hearing on the case was held Wednesday.

The incident, meanwhile, has revived calls to abolish the ROTC.

“This incident clearly illustrates the violent, fascist tradition that the ROTC brings to campuses. PUP and all schools should immediately suspend the implementation of ROTC towards its total abolition,” said Anakbayan chairperson Vencer Crisostomo in a statement. — KBK, GMA News