MANILA — A progressive youth organization denounced the harsh “reception rites” carried out by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to their newly assigned personnel in Lamitan City, Basilan.

According to Anakbayan, this incident further proves that the planned revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in schools will only bring harm and even death.

Videos circulating on social media showed that new recruits of the PNP were punched and slapped with knees bent by members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion – 14B based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Videos also showed the victims’ bruises.

At least 129 recruits were reportedly victimized in the afternoon of February 5. 

“The true measure of patriotism is not one’s willingness to endure violent training, especially under institutions with a long and bloody record of violating the basic rights of the Filipino people,” Mhing Gomez, Anakbayan chairperson, said in a statement.

Read: Hazing victim calls for justice, ROTC abolition

The PNP identified 12 police officers so far accused of being directly involved in maltreating the recruits. The entire members of the battalion were relieved from their posts while the investigation is ongoing.

The incident, Anakbayan said, exposed the culture of violence within state security forces.

“This senseless cruelty inflicted upon cadets is reflective of the fascist nature of the PNP. It is required of a mercenary institution that thrives on a culture of brutality and impunity,” Gomez said.

The group said that state-perpetrated violent incidents, including those that occurred within government institutions, should be denounced, urging the Filipino youth to firmly reject the return of mandatory ROTC. (DAA, RVO)