MANILA, Philippines — Alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy have expressed support to the ongoing investigation into the beating of the academy's graduates.
Six graduates of the PNPA Maragta Class of 2018 have reportedly been beaten up by their underclassmen after the graduation rites last week.
The PNPA Alumni Association Incorporated condemned the act of violence and stressed that such an act has no place in the academy and in the society.
"There is no tradition of hurting fellow cadets or any person for that matter. What happened was an isolated case and we do not condone such demeanor," the PNPA Alumni Associated said in a statement.
"We fully support the ongoing investigation and if evidence warrants, they should be held accountable for nobody is above the law," they added.
Chief Supt. Joseph Adnol, director of the PNPA, had offered to resign following the beating incident involving PNPA graduates.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, however, refused to accept Adnol's resignation.
According to a report from The STAR, the PNPA has a tradition where underclassmen dunk new graduates in a pool as payback for the hardships they suffered at the hands of the senior officers. This year, the underclassmen reportedly hit the graduates with paddles in the head instead of dunking them in a pool.
Adnol claimed that he was not aware of the "bawian" or payback practice of the cadets.
The six graduates, whose identities were not disclosed, suffered contusions and lacerations. They are currently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.
At least 40 PNPA cadets have been confined in school premises while an investigation into the beating of the six graduates is ongoing.