Dela Rosa says ‘tradition’ of beating PNPA upperclassmen should stop

FILE: PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

Following reports of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduates being rushed to the hospital after a beating after their graduation, the PNP chief urged for such tradition to stop.

“Dahil kung hindi na-stop ‘yung tradition na ‘yan, every year na ‘yan mangyayari ‘yung tinatawag na ‘bawian’ (Because if this tradition is not stopped, every year there will be a system of ‘getting back’),”PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on March 26 in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

The top cop said that the ‘tradition’ saddens him as it promotes a cycle of beatings among the year differences of batches.

In a Philippine Daily Inquirer article, Dela Rosa was quoted to confirm that not all batches are aware or practice the said ‘tradition.’

“Well I have talked to several alumni, sabi nila ‘Sir, during our time wala ‘yan. Nawala ‘yan.’ Meron din naman nagsabi na nung panahon naming meron niyan, pero nahinto (Well I have talked to several alumni, they said, ‘Sir during our time there is no such tradition. It was gone. Some, however, said that during their time, it existed but it was stopped),” the PNP Chief said.

Dela Rosa was asked to comment on the PhilStar report citing six PNPA cadets of the Maragtas class of 2018 that were rushed to the hospital right after their commencement exercises on March 21.

The report did not disclose the names of the six fresh graduates, but they were identified to be of inspector ranks.

According to the report, the beating incident happened between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the barracks of PNPA in Silang Cavite. The new graduates were packing their things when their upperclassmen attacked them with stones and paddles.

Furthermore, Dela Rosa said that he has asked PNPA President Retired Police Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon to take actions.