Three cops face dismissal

CEBU, Philippines - The three policemen accused of submitting 12 police trainees to “hazing” at the Regional Special Training Unit (RTSU) in Sibonga, Cebu could face dismissal from the service.

However, if the investigation would clear the trainers and would show that the 12 police trainees were just weaving lies to malign the accused, the trainees will also face administrative charges.

Lawyer Homer Mariano Cabaral, director of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), said the three police trainers could face the maximum sanction of dismissal if investigation proves true the accusation lodged against them.

Cabaral said hazing is a grave offense and may cause the dismissal of Police Officers 2 Millinie Francisco and Diana Paghasian and PO1 Wilmorre Alvarado.

As part of due process, though, Cabaral said they are still thoroughly investigating the accusations filed by 12 policemen.

A special investigation group composed of the Napolcom and the Philippine National Police (PNP) was created to resolve the matter.

If the probe would clear the trainers and show that the 12 police trainees lied to malign the accused, Cabaral said the trainees will also face administrative charges.

The basis for the administrative charges would be the sworn statement they made against Francisco, Paghasian, and Alvarado. Cabaral said the trainers can then file a case for perjury.

The three policemen were temporarily relieved from the training staff of RTSU-7 pending investigation by Napolcom and PRO-7.

The three denied inflicting bodily harm to their trainees.

The complainants alleged that they incurred physical abuses from the three during the 45-day Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training (Scout) at RTSU-7 in three different occasions this month.  (FREEMAN)