Not hazing? PNP says complaint vs 4 PMA cadets based on victim's testimony
'We based our case filed against the four cadets based na rin po sa testimony po ng bata. So 'yun po yung sinampa na kaso ng Baguio City Police. Yung violation ng Anti-Hazing Act,' PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.
(We based our case filed against the four cadets on the testimony of the victim. So that's the case filed by the Baguio City Police. The violation of the Anti-Hazing Act.)
'Ang sinasabi is may mga body contact po na nangyari. The victim suffered some injuries that would require some hospitalization,' she added.
(What is being said is that there was body contact. The victim suffered some injuries that would require some hospitalization.)
PMA public information office's Lieutenant Jesse Saludo earlier said the incident does not fall under the definition of hazing in the Anti-Hazing Act.
'The injuries were caused by their classmates venting out their frustration on their squadmate, which because they believe the performance of their classmate is affecting their squad,' Saludo said.
'The incident does not fall under the legal definition of hazing as stated in the Anti-Hazing Act, which requires acts of violence or abuse to be committed as part of the admission process in the organization,' he added.
According to the PMA, the school has yet to obtain a copy of the formal complaint or police report filed by the victim.
Based on the investigation, the Baguio City Police said the victim, a 4th class cadet, allegedly experienced 'physical abuse and humiliation' from September 2 to 29, 2024.
The police noted that the 'acts of maltreatment were not isolated but were carried out regularly inside the barracks.'
These alleged physical abuses, which the complainant noted as 'animalistic tripping,' include punches and excessive physical training, which caused him to collapse due to exhaustion.
After allegedly receiving a heavy punch on September 29, 2024, the victim nearly lost consciousness and was admitted to a hospital in Quezon City, where he underwent medical and psychological treatment.
Two cadets were suspended while another one faced punishment for committing physical harm to the victim, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Meanwhile, one cadet was acquitted. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
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