Nelson Morales

PNP condemns alleged hazing during reception rites of Basilan personnel

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2023663868199419%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=309&amp;t=0" width="309" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday condemned the reported abuses allegedly committed during reception rites involving members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-14B in Lamitan City, Basilan.</p><p>PNP spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said the personnel involved had just completed the Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC), a mandatory training for police non-commissioned officers, before being deployed to Basilan.</p><p>According to Tuaño, reports received by the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) indicated that what took place during their reporting was allegedly an initiation or welcome rite that turned abusive.</p><p>“Isa lang talaga ang nag-file ang nagreklamo at napagkasunduan na lang nung maengganyo nila ‘yung iba na lumabas. Ang original na complainant ay 18 at kasamang magrereklamo accordingly sa investigation na natanggap natin additional 110,” Tuaño said. </p><p>At least 30 personnel have so far undergone medical examinations, with authorities documenting injuries such as bruises and hematomas that may serve as evidence to support the complaints.</p><p>Tuaño stressed that PNP chief PBGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has reiterated the organization’s strict prohibition of hazing in all forms of training, orientation, and welcome rites.</p><p>“Zero tolerance din ang PNP kaugnay ng mga hazing sa mga training at welcome rites at sinasabi ng ating chief PNP na mananagot  kriminal at administratibo ang lahat ng mga mapapatunayan,” he said.</p><p>PRO-BAR Regional Director PBGen. Jaysen De Guzman immediately ordered the relief of the personnel involved. </p><p>Initially, 12 police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs) were identified based on the statements of complainants as having directly participated in the alleged acts.</p><p>However, Tuaño clarified that the relief order covered the entire RMFB-14B contingent in Lamitan—more than 70 personnel in total—including the 12 identified PNCOs. </p><p>They have been temporarily replaced by members of RMFB-14A to ensure operational continuity.</p><p>The relieved personnel were placed under the custody of the Regional Personnel Records and Management Division–Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (RPRD-RPHAS).</p><p>In a separate statement, PRO-BAR said it “strongly condemns the reported abuses during reception rites” and assured the public that the matter is being handled seriously, transparently, and with due process.</p><p>Under the principle of command responsibility, PRO BAR said negligent supervisors may face administrative sanctions, while appropriate criminal and administrative charges will be filed against those directly involved.</p><div><strong>RELATED STORIES: </strong></div><div><strong></strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/9/pnp-probes-alleged-death-threat-vs-cebu-governor-baricuatro-1322">PNP probes alleged death threat vs Cebu Governor Baricuatro</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/pnp-alarmed-over-rising-child-selling-cases-1220">PNP alarmed over rising child-selling cases </a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/pnp-alarmed-over-rising-child-selling-cases-1220"></a><strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/pnp-alarmed-over-rising-child-selling-cases-1220"></a></strong></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday condemned the reported abuses allegedly committed during reception rites involving members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-14B in Lamitan City, Basilan.</p>

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday condemned the reported abuses allegedly committed during reception rites involving members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-14B in Lamitan City, Basilan.