WATCH: Newly deployed cops in Basilan receive punches in ‘welcome rites’

Newly deployed cops in Lamitan, Basilan received blows to the face, punches, and flicks from their fellow policemen, who were subsequently relieved from their posts because of the hazing incident.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the “welcome rites” happened at the barracks of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14B in Lamitan on February 5. 

In one footage of the incident, a uniformed personnel seemingly lost consciousness after receiving a blow to the face. 

Another video showed a cop getting flicked on his ears and nose, but was then punched in the abdomen.

The newly assigned cops suffered bruises but fortunately did not need serious medical attention.

“Zero tolerance din po ang Philippine National Police (PNP) kaugnay po ng mga hazing, sa training, at sa mga welcome rites,” said PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño. 

(The Philippine National Police has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing in training and welcome rites.) 

The PNP said the 129 victims of the brutal welcoming activity had just finished their basic internal security operations training.

The PNP has already identified the 12 members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14B involved in the hazing.

Over 70 police commissioned and non-commissioned officers, including their commanding officer, were also relieved from their posts. 

“Hindi lamang po tinanggal yung 12 na identified, tinanggal na po lahat ng miyembro ng 14B ng Regional Mobile Force Battalion. So lahat po sila, 70 plus, sila lahat po ay administratively relieved,” Tuaño said. 

(We didn’t just remove the 12 who were identified, all members of the 14B Regional Mobile Force Battalion were removed. So all of them, 70 plus, are all administratively relieved.) 

The police officers involved in the hazing may face administrative and criminal charges. 

“Hindi po natin kino-condone and tino-tolerate ang mga ganyang klaseng activities, mananagot po ang dapat managot, makakasuhan ang dapat makasuhan, and rest assured po na maibibigay natin ‘yung dapat doon para sa mga victim,” said PNP Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region spokesperson Police Captain Steffi Salanguit. 

(We do not condone or tolerate these kinds of activities. Those responsible will be held accountable, those who should be charged will be charged, and rest assured that we will provide what is due for the victims.)

According to the information gathered by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, the force commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14B was identified as Police Colonel Joel Estaris. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Estaris and other cops involved for comment.

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) is also conducting its own investigation on the incident.

The PNP added that welcome rites have been a tradition among policemen, but physical contact is prohibited. 

“Parte ng welcome rites po nila yung ‘pag sinasabi nating ‘roll like a barrel,’ ito po ay parte ng mga physical exercises na walang physical contact,” Tuaño said. 

(Part of their welcome rites is what we call ‘roll like a barrel,’ these are part of physical exercises that involve no physical contact.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News