Manila: More police officers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been named as respondents in a complaint related to a hazing incident in Basilan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the number of officers implicated in the incident has surged from 12 earlier this week to 54 as of Wednesday. Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o announced the spike in numbers during a press briefing at Camp Crame, emphasizing that the count could rise further as the investigation proceeds. "Mula sa unang 12 na nasampahan ng kaso sa prosecutor's office, umakyat na sa 54 ang mga sinampahan ng kaso batay sa patuloy na imbestigasyon," Tua±o stated, underscoring the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The officers now facing charges include a police colonel, a major, four captains, seven corporals, and 41 patrolmen. All 54 officers have been placed under restrictive custody, and the Police Regional Office in BARMM is contemplating their preventive suspension as the investigation unfolds.
The reported hazing incident took place last week at the Regional Mobile Force Battalion headquarters in Barangay Ubit, Lamitan City, Basilan. More than 100 recruits were allegedly subjected to rigorous and abusive initiation practices, including duck-walking, rolling on the ground, and being struck with wooden sticks and arnis.
