Reyes assures no whitewash on 'hazing probe'

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

“We will determine whether there is probable cause,” stressed Police Regional Office (PRO-6) regional director Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II as he directed the investigation on the alleged hazing on 18 neophyte cops.

“The process is moving,” Reyes said citing that the involved senior officers were relieved already while the complainants were detailed outside the Regional Mobile Group (RMG-6).

“We will finish the case,” he added.

Likewise, Reyes pointed out the PRO-6 would “put in the heads of our personnel every time there is a meeting” the anti-hazing law.

It can be noted that the issue of hazing has long been existent in the police force. To recall, there were also complaints brought out by police trainees last year though it were not proven.

But the incident this time proved true as confirmed by a PRO-6 team tasked to investigate the complaints.

The complainants are police officers 1 newly-assigned in the 601 st Company at Brgy. Purisimo, Manapla, Negros Occidental. The alleged perpetrators are Insp. Arnel Arpon, PO2 Voltaire Sy., PO1 Rey Escañan and PO1 Rafael Sta. Ana IV.

Camp Delgado 's Regional Heath Service chief Quirico V. Acap Jr. noted that a medical officer and members of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RIID) conducted a medical examination on said new policemen, to verify the incident.

In a report, Insp. Ma Cecilia R. Detablan said that Insp. Vincent Cavan physically examined the said PO1s and found to have fresh hematoma on their abdomens and back thighs while some suffered severe hematoma which reached down to their back knees.

Meanwhile, it is being urged that there should be proper disciplinary action against the culprits to prevent the same wrongdoing in the future.