COMPLAINT. The Masbate Prosecutor's Office receives on Thursday (Aug. 4, 2022) the complaint filed by Col. Rayan Ador, Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division chief (center) and Col. Edwin Engay, Regional Legal Service chief (right), against 21 police officers of the 503rd Maneuver Platoon, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5 who were said to be involved in the alleged hazing incident that led to the death of Pat. Jaypee de Guzman Ramores in July. The defendants have been relieved from their post and placed under the custody of RMFB 5 inside Camp Ola in Legazpi City. (Photo courtesy of PRO-5)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) on Thursday filed charges against 21 police officers of the 503rd Maneuver Platoon, Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 5 who were involved in the alleged hazing incident leading to the death of Pat. Jaypee De Guzman Ramores last month.
In a statement, Maj. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said filed before the Masbate Prosecutor's Office were criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 11053 which amended RA 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act that prohibits hazing and regulating other forms of initiation rites of fraternities, sororities, and other organizations.
The same law explicitly states that “no physical violence may be employed by anybody during initiation rites” which was violated by the suspects.
"Penalties, if proven guilty for the commission of the crime, are reclusion perpetua with corresponding fines," she noted.
On July 22, after performing a noontime road run around San Jacinto town, the victim collapsed and was brought to Ticao District Hospital but was released at about 5 p.m. on the same date.
Ramores, however, passed out anew on July 26 but died in the hospital on the same day.
Post mortem examination conducted by Ticao District Hospital in San Jacinto, Masbate on July 28 showed that Ramores suffered from cardiorespiratory arrest, deep vein thrombosis secondary to pulmonary embolism, and multiple physical injuries secondary to blunt trauma.
"He also sustained severe bruises, burns on his chest, wounds on his knees and feet, and other injuries on his body that caused his death on July 26," Calubaquib said.
The defendants have been relieved from their post and placed under the custody of RMFB 5, Regional Headquarters inside Camp Ola here.
Calubaquib said aside from the criminal case, the suspects shall also face administrative charges for grave misconduct which will be handled by the Regional Internal Affairs Service 5. (PNA)
