At the ceremony that welcomed the new graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) into the police force at Camp Crame in Quezon City, national police chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. could not help but confront them about the infamous muriatic acid hazing incident involving police cadets.

Bringing up the issue appears to be fair and reasonable because aside from public disappointment—and fear— on how the future police leaders are being groomed, that infamous muriatic acid incident dragged down the entire police organization.

And for Nartatez, the 326 newly-graduates from the PNPA may have blood in their hands over the latest cruel and weird hazing incident at the Academy.

“A week ago, something happened involving your underclassmen that you left behind at the PNPA. And I was wondering, 'is that the kind of teachings that you have done to your underclass?',” said Nartatez in his speech during the donning of ranks and badge of honor ceremony at Camp Crame on Tuesday, April 14.

He was referring to how at least three yearlings (cadets in their second year at the PNPA) concocted strong chemicals being used in cleaning bathrooms and applied them at the back of the plebes as a punishment.

The incident left the entire backs of more than 22 cadets burned while some of them suffered burns down to their anus and scrotum.

“Remember, it was you who took care of them as plebes, as yearlings and cows (cadets on their 3rd year at the PNPA) and I am referring to the maltreatment that occurred,” said Nartatez.

As 1st Class or graduating cadets, they are in charge of running the cadet corps as part of the leadership training when they go out and join the PNP. 

The same concept is true at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) where Nartatez graduated in 1992. 

Cycle of hazing

Nartatez said additional long-term safety measures are now being drafted to finally address the cycle of violent hazing incidents inside the PNPA amid the efforts to institutionalize policy reforms to inculcate discipline, integrity and professionalism among the corps of cadets.

He said the focus will be on changing the mindset, especially for the incoming cadets, in order to take away the wrong notion that violence and inhumane punishments are normal in the Academy.

Incoming cadets who are exposed to hazing will naturally avenge the maltreatment they would receive by subjecting their underclass later to the same and even worst kind of punishments.

“The cycle of wrong mindset on leadership and discipline among the cadets must stop, and it starts now. We will strengthen the existing mechanisms to deny any opportunity for violent and inhumane hazing activities,” said Nartatez.

No place for twisted minds

Among the key measures being discussed is strengthening the reporting system on any form of abuses, regular conduct of body inspections and practical training programs that focus on leadership and accountability.

And part of that reform is to send a strong message that such twisted minds have no place at the PNPA.

Thus, he said that the certainty of severe punishment that may include expulsion and filing of criminal charges that may include detention must be pursued to teach the cadets the hard lessons on violating the Anti-Hazing Law.

Nartatez earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the recent hazing activity at the PNPA and part of his instruction is to review training practices at the Academy.

The move signals a shift away from punitive methods that have long been criticized by rights advocates and former cadets.

“We are shifting from 'punishment-based' to 'performance-based' training. We have to replace the tradition of violent hazing with 'science-based conditioning.' We want officers who are tough because they are skilled, not because they survived violence,” Nartatez said.

“And in doing so, we are sending a strong message that violation hazing and other forms of violation of the rule of law and human rights have no place in an institution that produces future police leaders,” he added.