THE chief of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB)-Northern Mindanao, including four other senior police officers who were allegedly involved in the “hazing” of two junior police officers, were relieved from their post, a top police official in the region said Wednesday.
Relieved were Senior Police Officer 2 Charles C. Osip, RPSB battalion chief, and Police Officers 1 Dhon Isador P. Oracoy, Rex E. Luzdoc, Reynante H. Cam and Ryan T. Mañoza, said Chief Superintendent Jufel C. Adriatico of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Northern Mindanao.
The five were accused by Police Officers 1 Job J. Seronay and Nick Ryan A. Ampong of physically maltreating them last June.
“I already relieved them from the RPSB and they are now reporting at the Regional Headquarters while the re-investigation is going on,” Adriatico told reporters during a press forum initiated by the PNP Press Corps at Camp Alagar Wednesday.
Adriatico said the five police officers are required to join him every morning in his daily physical exercise for them to have a clear mind and healthy body as well.
“Although it was just an allegation, but upon review of the complaints, I found probable cause for them to be relieved,” he said.
On June 29, 2011, Seronay and Ampong, who were then assigned at the RPSB in Camp Gen. Capistrano, Barangay Gusa, filed physical injuries against their senior officers for allegedly beating them.
Seronay and Ampong alleged the four senior officers boxed them, hitting them in different parts of their body.
Still not contented, they said the four hit them with a rattan stick and baseball bat, as allegedly ordered by Osip.
Because of the incident, Seronay and Ampong decided not to go back to the RPSB camp for fear of their lives. Instead, they reported to the Regional Headquarters for three months until they went on Awol (absent without official leave).
Both Seronay and Ampong have been “dropped from the roles,” as earlier recommended by Osip.
Related to this, Adriatico said Seronay and Ampong may still have the chance to go back to police service if they will allow themselves under his control, being the regional director.
“But since they have an Awol complaint, they also have to answer it. But I will assure that they will not be dismissed,” he said.
