A SHOCKING hazing incident involving police trainees in Lamitan, Basilan, has sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation. Bagong Henerasyon Party-list founder and former rep. Bernadette Herrera has condemned the incident, describing it as “hazing on a massive horrendous scale.”
Herrera commended the 129 police recruits who bravely exposed the alleged abuse. She urged PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez to pursue a solid criminal case against the relieved PNP officers directly responsible, stating that administrative dismissal is insufficient. “I also call for the immediate relief of the Lamitan police chief and the PNP regional director for command responsibility. There must be no cover-up,” she added.
Herrera, who authored the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018, emphasized the systemic nature of hazing, suggesting that similar incidents may have occurred with previous recruits.
Rep. Robert Nazal echoed Herrera’s concerns, urging the House public order and safety committee to swiftly convene an investigation into this and any similar incidents of hazing on PNP recruits. Nazal also called for a thorough probe and audit of the personnel and operations history of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14B.
