Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday warned police units nationwide against hazing and violent initiation rites following the relief of the entire Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14-B in Basilan.

“This should serve as a warning to other police offices and units not to engage in this kind of activity,” Nartatez said.

He reiterated that hazing is strictly prohibited under Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act, stressing that acts causing physical or psychological harm during initiation or welcoming rites are criminal offenses.

“As an institution, the PNP enforces a zero-tolerance policy against hazing,” Nartatez said, adding that violators may face administrative sanctions, including dismissal, as well as criminal liability.

At least 70 RMFB 14-B personnel were relieved following complaints that recruits were physically harmed during alleged welcome rites. Images and videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said 22 officers were placed under restrictive custody, while five face criminal charges.

Beaten up

The alleged hazing took place last week at the RMFB headquarters in Barangay Ubit, Lamitan City, where recruits were reportedly forced to duck-walk, roll on the ground, and beaten with wooden sticks and arnis.

Tuaño said 12 personnel, including the unit commander, were identified as having direct participation based on affidavits and medical findings.

“The Anti-Hazing Law does not only cover physical participation. It also includes those who planned the activity or failed to stop it,” Tuaño said.

Medical certificates from 56 recruits showed that 96 percent suffered injuries to their lower extremities, he added.

Despite the relief of the entire unit, Tuaño said security operations in the area remained unaffected, as RMFB 14-A was deployed to take over.