Two lawmakers on Monday, Sept. 27 sought the full enforcement of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 or Republic Act No. 11053 as they condemned the killing of another Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadet.

“Ang PNPA ay dapat nagsisilbing halimbawa sa mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng batas laban sa hazing, lalo na’t dito hinuhubog ang kapulisang magtatanggol sa ating mga mamamayan (The PNPA should set the bar in fully and strictly implementing the law against hazing, moreso because it is here where our future policemen that are tasked to protect our people are honed and trained),” Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian lamented that the continuing hazing activities within the academy is an insult to the law that Congress passed.

“Hindi natin dapat ito pinalalagpas. Ang mga kadete ay dapat nagtataguyod sa karapatang pantao at sa karangalan ng institusyong nais nilang kabilangan (We should not let this pass. Cadets are supposed to observe human rights and honor the institution they wish to be part of),” he added.

Gatchalian said he welcomes Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar for swiftly ordering an investigation into the death of Cadet 3rd Class George Karl Magsayo.

PNPA Director Police Major General Rhoderick Armamento reported that on September 23, suspect Cadet 2nd Class Steven Caesar Maingat, an upperclassman, punched Magsayo inside their dormitory.

Magsayo reportedly collapsed and was given first aid by fellow cadets, who also alerted PNPA officers during the incident. Magsayo was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Armamento assured the public that the academy maintains its strict “No To Hazing Policy.” Maingat is now under the custody of the Silang police and criminal complaints are expected to be filed against him on Monday.

Agusan del Norte Representative Lawrence Fortun, meanwhile, said he believes recurring incidents of hazing, homicide, and assault at the PNPA are not isolated.

Fortun recalled that in 2019, four PNPA cadets were also charged for violating the anti-hazing law over the alleged maltreatment of their fellow cadet John Desiderio.

According to Fortun, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should also step in Magsayo’s case to ensure a fair and impartial probe into the killing incident.

He said the NBI should secure the crime scene and interview cadets and officials as soon as possible. He also said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) should come in for the administrative proceedings for violation of the anti-hazing law to ensure it would not just be considered a case of homicide.

Gatchalian reminded that the anti-hazing law provides that all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens’ military training and citizens’ army training are prohibited.

He also said the prohibition extends to fraternities, sororities, and organizations that are not school-based.