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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nartatez warns vs initiation rites as police colonel, 11 other cops charged over hazing in Basilan

Nartatez warns vs initiation rites as police colonel, 11 other cops charged over hazing in Basilan

Published Feb 10, 2026 02:03 pm
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned commanders and personnel against engaging in any initiation rites following the filing of a case against an officer with a rank of colonel and 11 others in connection with the hazing involving new recruits in Basilan.
Nartatez said zero tolerance on hazing must be observed at all times in compliance with the existing law and rules and regulations that ban and punish all forms of hazing activities in the country.
“The Philippine National Police has its own share of sad and unpleasant stories of hazing activities. We must all learn from those lessons as our own contribution to uphold the dignity and professionalism of our organization,” said Nartatez
The entire Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14-B assigned in Basilan was relieved and replaced over complaints of physical harm on recruits allegedly as part of the welcome rites.
Photos and videos of the incident were posted and went viral on social media. All of those subjected to medical examination have hematoma and other traces of physical harm.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said criminal cases were already filed against the commander of the RMFB 14-B following the complaint lodged by at least 18 recruits who were among those subjected to physical harm as part of the welcome rites.
More than 120 policemen, who were all recruited in 2023, were able to finish the required hard training and were assigned to the RMFB 14. It was during their first day when the hazing happened allegedly as part of the welcome rites.
Of the 12 charged, all of them have a rank of either a corporal or a patrolman.
Tuaño said the police colonel was included in the charge sheet after the complainants said that he was present during the entire initiation rites.
At least 70 were earlier relieved from their posts and were subjected to investigation and from 12 cops earlier ordered to be placed under restrictive custody, the number went up to 22.
Tuaño said the investigation is ongoing, including giving all those involved the opportunity to explain in the filing of administrative cases. The maximum penalty in administrative cases is dismissal from the service.
Nartatez emphasized that the PNP does not condone and tolerate such activities, adding that investigation is now being conducted against all those involved in the hazing incident.
“The Philippine National Police is a professional organization and all its members must behave as such. There are other ways to instill discipline among the recruits and beating them up is certainly not one of them,” he emphasized.
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