10 police instructors face raps for maltreating Negros trainees

BACOLOD CITY – Ten instructors of the 6th Regional Mobile Group are in hot water after the Philippine National Police in Region 6 found probable cause to warrant the filing of administrative and criminal charges against them for the alleged maltreatment of 51 trainees.

The police trainees, including 22 females, were enrolled in a special counter-insurgency course at Camp Aniceto Lacson in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

They sustained contusions and hematomas as a result of alleged beatings by their instructors and trainers, police investigation showed.

Days after the start of the training, PO1 Tristan Lopez died allegedly due to heat stroke, making him the second casualty since 2005, police records show.

“The evidence available against them for the filing of administrative and criminal charges is strong,” Cuevas said

Being investigated by the Region 6 police for maltreatment are tactical officers Inspectors Stephen Somosot and Dianne Grace Aquitania, and instructors PO1s Cherryl Lacson, Jean Hiponia, Annie Rose Tupas, Ma. Lowelyn Moises, Marife Cantomayo, Rhea Basa, Rhia Onate and Rowena Pimentel.

“Tradition or not tradition, we are not allowing it,” Cuevas said.

He said the tactical officers and instructors are fully aware that hazing is not allowed.

Cuevas gave assurance that the 51 trainees would be given protection, as their parents fear retaliation from the instructors and tactical officers who have been stripped of their duties and restricted to the police camp.

The victims told the PNP medical team that their instructors hit them even for minor infractions, using sticks on their hands and fingers, and PVC and GI pipes, pieces of wood and bamboo on their thighs and buttocks.

The alleged hazing took place last Nov. 1 at the 6th RMG headquarters in Victorias City while the group’s director, Superintendent Remus Zacharias Canieso, was in Boracay for a “special mission.”

Two years ago, three RMG instructors were suspended for several months for inflicting injuries on neophyte policemen taking up the same course at Camp Aniceto Lacson.