COMPLAINTS were filed against nine individuals over the alleged maltreatment of 22 cadets at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed the complaints on Monday before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Imus, Cavite for violations of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, PNPA director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said Wednesday.

Named respondents were seven PNPA cadets and two supervising officers who were on duty during the alleged hazing incident.

“‘Yung batas na Anti-Hazing Law, kapag nangyari sa training institution ay meron din pananagutan ‘yung mga direct supervisor na naka-duty (Under the Anti-Hazing Law, when something happens in a training institution, the direct supervisors who are on duty are also responsible),” Maranan said in a press briefing.

The case stemmed from alleged hazing inside the PNPA in Silang, Cavite, on April 3 where 22 underclass cadets reportedly suffered burns from chemicals used as punishment.

The incident led to the relief of former PNPA director Maj. Gen. Andre Dizon and other officials.

Maranan said reforms are underway following the incident, including stricter supervision, segregation of cadets, and installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said filing charges shows “that the PNP’s system of discipline and accountability is working.”

“Regardless of the people and the ranks involved, there will always be a certainty of facing the consequences of violating our rules and regulations, and the rule of law,” he said.

Another hazing case

Maranan, meanwhile, disclosed a separate hazing case that took place on April 19 involving two cadets who sustained bruises after being beaten.

“They (two cadets) said that they were punished over their slow movement or lousiness,” he said.

Maranan said he ordered the two upperclassmen to be sent to Silang Municipal Police Station “to be charged criminally.”

“I will sign their dismissal from the cadet program. They will be barred from entering the academy as they were not students of the PNPA anymore,” he said.

Root out violence

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for a review of PNPA policies and to strictly enforce anti-hazing measures.

“The filing of cases against seven Philippine National Academy cadets for alleged violations of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11053) is a crucial step towards justice and accountability. Hindi na natin dapat kinukunsinti o binibigyang puwang ang ganitong uri ng pang-aabuso at karahasan, lalo na kung ito’y nagaganap sa institusyong inaasahang maghubog ng disiplina, integridad, at paggalang sa batas (We should no longer tolerate or give space to this kind of abuse and violence, especially when it occurs in an institution expected to instill discipline, integrity, and respect for the law),” Gatchalian said in a statement. (PNA)