3 cops charged for mauling colleague in Isabela

MANILA, Philippines — Three policemen were charged for violating the anti-hazing law after mauling a rookie officer in Angadanan, Isabela last month, the police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) announced yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, IMEG director, said cases for violation of Republic Act 11053 were filed against Corporals Jherome Languido and Prodencio Lizardo Jr. and Pat. Janry Darell Lopez – relieved earlier from their posts at PRO 2 Regional Mobile Force Battalion 2 – before the Isabela provincial prosecutor’s office in Ilagan City.

“Aside from the criminal complaints, we have also filed administrative cases against them before the regional investigation and detective management division of Police Regional Office 2,” De Leon said, adding that their immediate superior is also under investigation for command responsibility.

De Leon said the cases were based on the testimony of alleged victim Pat. Jeremy Matthew Padilla, who accused them of mauling him at their base in Barangay Macalauat from May 24 to 25.

The victim said the three officers punched him several times and hit him with a wooden paddle.

De Leon reminded police officers not to subject their subordinates to hazing rites, stressing that those who are caught could face a sentence of reclusion perpetua or 40 years of imprisonment.