22 airmen in hazing in PAF custody

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Air Force has placed under “protective custody” 22 of its personnel for their alleged involvement in the hazing of two trainees in an officer candidate course last August.

Of the 22 Airmen, one is a junior officer and 21 are upperclass cadets of the Officer Candidate Training School in San Fernando Airbase in Lipa City, Batangas.

PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said the alleged hazing incident happened sometime in the first week of August, following which the PAF conducted an initial probe.

“It turned out during the initial investigation that there were 22 PAF personnel who should answer,” Canaya said.

The 22 PAF personnel face charges of maltreatment, which is a violation of the Anti-Hazing Law and PAF regulations. They were placed under protective custody during the investigation.

Nine of the PAF personnel have been recommended for separation or discharge from the service, while 13 others, including the junior officer, are still being investigated by the Provost Marshal.

The two victims were PAF personnel who were undergoing an officer candidate course and were the juniors of the alleged perpetrators. The have been discharged from hospital after being treated for internal hemorrhaging.