PNP probing alleged cop hazing in Isabela

The Philippine National Police is investigating the alleged hazing incident involving police personnel in Isabela, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Monday.

In a press briefing, Fajardo said the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) is looking into the case of Patrolman Jeremy Matthew Padilla who was allegedly attacked by three police personnel and was hit with a wooden paddle.

However, Padilla’s colleagues denied the hazing incident and claimed that Padilla probably got his bruises when he ran during an immediate action drill, Fajardo said.

“Kung yung pamilya at alleged victim ay desidido na magsampa ng kaso ay tutulungan na siya,” Fajardo told reporters.

(We will help the alleged victim and his family if they are determined to press charges.)

The immediate action drill is a type of training police personnel who will be assigned to the mountains have to undergo.

The IMEG is looking at the possible liability of the police officers conducting the training, Fajardo said.

She added that if there is concrete evidence and a person who can confirm the victim’s claims, the suspects would face charges of physical injury and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

However, the victim may face charges of dishonesty if proven that there is no hazing incident.

Padilla is now in a stable condition, Fajardo said.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News