The police have filed a criminal complaint against seven cadets and two police officers of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, over the alleged hazing of 22 plebes (first-year cadets) on April 3, Good Friday.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed the complaint for violation of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Imus, Cavite.
Among those charged were third-year PNPA cadets Harold Locop Heje, Lance Elroy Guinitaran Gayramon, Mhicco Legarda Escalante, Renz Matthew Abuhan Cutab and Renald Perfecto Brunio, as well as second-year cadets James Baldazan Bandao and Christopher Fernandez Dayag.
Also named in the complaint were the duty officers for the day, Maj. Mark Anthony Cailing and Senior Master Sgt. Silverio Dolorfino Jr.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, PNPA director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said that under the antihazing law, on-duty supervisors in training institutions tasked to directly oversee cadets or trainees may also be held criminally liable when such incidents occur.
Administrative liability
He added that the PNP Internal Affairs Service is also conducting an investigation into the police officers’ possible administrative liability under the principle of command responsibility.
Maranan said that based on their investigation, the on-duty officers who were supposed to supervise the activities of PNPA cadets were not on campus when the hazing occurred.
Following the incident, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered tighter anti-hazing measures across all systems within the PNPA, which is composed of two main branches: the Tactics Group and the Academics Group.
Maranan said that because the hazing occurred under the Tactics Group, it will be prioritized for reforms.
According to him, cadets have been segregated by class and assigned to separate barracks to ensure all interactions are supervised by tactical and assistant tactical officers.
Maranan said that closed circuit TV cameras will be installed in and around barracks, classrooms and other areas where cadets conduct various activities.
Tactical officers will also be required to use body-worn cameras so their actions can be properly documented and reviewed.
In a separate statement, Nartatez said the filing of cases against those involved in the alleged hazing ‘shows that the PNP’s system of discipline and accountability is working.’
‘Regardless of the people and the ranks involved, there will always be a certainty of facing the consequences of violating our rules and regulations, and the rule of law,’ he said.