RD Soria
orders probe on alleged hazing of PNP rookies
By RPCRD, Police Regional
Office 8
April 12, 2013
CAMP SEC. KANGLEON, Palo,
Leyte – Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) Regional Director Police Chief
Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria ordered an immediate investigation
on the alleged case of hazing victimizing new police recruits at the
8th Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB8) headquarters in Capoocan,
Leyte.
“If proven true, this is a
clear violation of human rights and we will not tolerate such inhuman
acts conducted in no less than an official camp of the PNP,” Soria
said as he directed the Regional Investigation and Detective
Management Division (RIDMD) to conduct an in-depth investigation on
the matter.
“We are exercising zero
tolerance on hazing and excessive punishment in any police camp. Any
form of hazing has no place in the organization where respect for
human rights and the rule of law is a command policy that every PNP
member is duty bound to uphold,” Soria added.
Reports reaching PRO8
disclosed that at least 11 new policemen who reported to the RPSB camp
for their first official assignment were allegedly subjected to hazing
and maltreated for no particular reason.
Nine policemen were placed
under investigation for possible culpability and may face
administrative and criminal charges.
The top police official also
directed all police units to refrain from conducting “reception” and
other initiation rites to new police recruits as a form of tradition
during the turn-over and downloading of police personnel to field
units as he also reminded unit commanders on the provisions of
Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995.
“All downloaded personnel
are full-pledge members of the organization and therefore should not
be treated as trainees. Violations of our directive will be dealt with
severely in accordance with existing laws,” Soria added.
Police personnel allegedly
involved in the hazing incident were relieved from RPSB and were
restricted at the PRO8 Regional Personnel Holding Accounting Unit (RPHAU).