Police official, 11 others face criminal charges over viral hazing incident in Basilan

A police colonel and 11 other law enforcers are now facing criminal complaints over the viral hazing of newly deployed cops in Lamitan, Basilan.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday announced that charges in relation to the violation of the Anti-Hazing Law had been filed against the commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14B and 11 of his men.

This is in relation of the hazing incident that transpired on January 5 during the “welcome rites” for the fresh batch of police officers deployed to Lamitan.

A video showed the newly deployed cops in Lamitan, Basilan received blows to the face, punches, and flicks from their fellow policemen.

Sources identified the official as Col. Joel Estaris, force commander of the RMFB 14-B, who was among the more the 70 cops earlier relieved of their posts following the hazing incident.

Witnesses and victims revealed the force commander was “physically present” during the hazing of more than 100 cops, but did not lift a finger to stop the illegal activity, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said.

“Ang Anti-Hazing Law hindi lamang ito patungkol sa physical or personal na pagsali or pag-iinflict ng harm. By virtue of his position ay nasasaklaw na siya sapagkat wala siyang ginawa sa mga ginawa ng kanyang mga tauhan,” Tuaño explained.

(The Anti-Hazing Law is not just about physical or personal involvement or infliction of harm. By virtue of his position, he is already covered because he did not do anything to prevent the actions of his staff.)

As a result of the ongoing investigation, 10 other members of the RMFB 14-B have been directly implicated in the hazing. They are  are now under restrictive custody together with the 12 police personnel charged with hazing.

Based on the investigation, “yantok and baseball bats” were used in inflicting harm on the victims.

The victims were given one week to recuperate, none of them suffered serious injuries.

“Based sa report na natanggap natin, 96 perecent ng may mga medical certificate at may mga hematoma, contusions ay galing sa lower extremities at 4 percent lang yung may mga tama or mga hematoma sa upper extremities halimbawa sa mukha,” Tuaño added.

(Based on the report we received, 96 percent of those with medical certificates have hematomas, contusions on the lower extremities and only 4 percent have injuries or hematomas in the upper extremities, for example on the face.)

GMA Integrated News is still exerting efforts to get in touch with Estaris and his men for their statement on the incident. — BAP, GMA Integrated News