The entire Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Administrative Region (PRO BAR) Mobile Force Battalion 14B in Basilan was removed from their posts following allegations of hazing involving more than 100 recruits, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
The incident reportedly occurred last Thursday at the battalion’s headquarters in Barangay Ubit, Lamitan City. Recruits said they were subjected to physically abusive practices, including being forced to walk in a duck-like position, ordered to lie and roll on the ground, and assaulted with wooden sticks and arnis.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said all members of Mobile Force Battalion 14B, numbering over 70 personnel, were administratively relieved and replaced with personnel from Battalion 14A.
The initial complaint identified 12 police non-commissioned officers as suspects. Additional reports named five corporals, five patrolmen, and other unidentified officers in connection with the hazing.
The allegations first came from one recruit, followed by statements from 18 classmates and later 110 others. All victims have undergone medical evaluation, and investigators are determining whether more officers were involved.
Tuaño reported that the recruits sustained physical injuries, including bruises, punches, and slaps. The entire battalion has been placed under the PRO BAR holding and accounting section in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, pending investigation under the Anti-Hazing Act.
The PNP reiterated that it has zero tolerance for hazing in training or initiation activities, and that those found guilty will face criminal and administrative charges.
The PRO BAR director personally visited the affected recruits in Lamitan City to check their condition, while the National Police Commission Bangsamoro announced it has launched a separate investigation into the incident.