HAZING and its many ugly forms such as physical punishment for infractions of regulations have resurfaced at the premiere police training institution, the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Last week, a cadet of the academy identified as Cadet Third Class Karl Magsayo, 21, died allegedly after receiving strong punches in the abdomen from his upperclassman. The reason is that Magsayo violated rules of discipline in the dormitory, rules that we still have to know and assess if justified or arbitrary. The cadet was hit five times in the abdomen, according to investigators.
Magsayo lost his consciousness, received first aid treatment from other cadets, and was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
According to PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, a complaint of violation of anti-hazing law resulting in homicide will be filed by the police against the suspect, Cadet Second Class Steve Ceasar Maingat.
‘The problem of hazing in police
institutions, not just the PNPA,
is systemic, and even a great
disciplinarian like General Eleazar will not make a dent, as he is retiring soon. More legislation and stricter implementation are again needed.’
This sorry incident proved that hazing and physical punishment still exists in the PNPA, even if the outgoing director, Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, denies it. Eleazar said Armamento will be replaced by another PNPA alumnus, Maj. Gen. Alexander Sampaga. While Sampaga might be better than the one he will replace, it is no assurance that he can temper the culture of hazing in that training den.
Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun said he believes recurring incidents of hazing, homicide, and assault at the PNPA are not isolated.
Fortun recalled that in 2019, four PNPA cadets were also charged for violating the anti-hazing law over the alleged maltreatment of their fellow cadet John Desiderio.
According to Fortun, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should also step in in Magsayo’s case to ensure a fair and impartial probe into the killing incident.
He said the NBI should secure the crime scene and interview cadets and officials as soon as possible. He also said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) should come in for the administrative proceedings for violation of the anti-hazing law to ensure it would not just be considered a case of homicide.
The problem of hazing in police institutions, not just the PNPA, is systemic and even a great disciplinarian like General Eleazar will not make a dent, as he is retiring soon. More legislation and stricter implementation are again needed.
