PNP: Battalion commander in viral hazing incident gave verbal instructions to cops

The commander of the police battalion in Lamitan, Basilan tagged in the viral hazing of their newly assigned policemen had allegedly issued verbal instructions to police officers who carried out the hazing.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, affidavits of witnesses and the hazing victims pointed to Colonel Joel Estaris, commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B, as having given the orders to his men.

Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said Estaris may not have inflicted harm on the newly deployed police officers to his unit, but Estaris reportedly witnessed the hazing.

“Bagamat hindi natin nakuha yung mga individual na specific na instructions ng ating force commander, pinagpapalagay natin na ang lahat ng utos ito ay nanggaling sa kanya, base na rin sa kanyang puwesto at sa kanyang designation bilang force commander,” said Tuaño, the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

(Although we did not get the individual, specific instructions from the force commander, we assume that all of these instructions came from him, by virtue of his post and designation as force commander.)

GMA Integrated News is reaching out to Estaris and other police officers involved in the alleged hazing for comment.

The alleged hazing of the policemen happened last week. On Tuesday, the PNP initially announced that charges have been filed against Estares and 11 others in connection with the viral hazing incident.

As of Wednesday, 54 police officers of the said police unit have been charged with violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

Authorities said charges may be filed against other personalities in the coming days.

“Pinapakita nito ang lalim at lawak ng naging paglabag at nais namin bigyan din na ang Philippine National Police ay malinaw na polisiya ng zero tolerance kognay sa nasabing hazing,” Tuaño said.

(This shows the depth and scope of the violations, and we want to stress that the Philippine National Police has a clear, zero tolerance policy on hazing.)

Those involved in the hazing incident may face imprisonment of 12 to 40 years, as well as pay P 1 million to P 2 million in damages.

“Ito na po ay nasa piskalya na po at sila po ang mag-a-assess kung ito po ay malakas po ang kaso natin sa mga nakasuhan po,” said Police Captain Mervan Calie Beltejar, the servicing legal officer.

(This case is now with the fiscal’s office and they will assess if there is a strong case against those charged.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News