Police probe death of Masbate cop due to alleged hazing

LEGAZPI CITY — A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) was created to investigate the death of the 32-year-old policeman assigned in Masbate province, an alleged victim of hazing by his own senior officers.

In a belated report issued on Thursday, July 28, police said Patrolman Jaypee Ramores, assigned at the 503rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion Bicol, was taken to Ticao District Hospital in San Jacinto town at around 1 p.m. on July 26.

Report said Ramores died while being treated at around 9:30 p.m. on the same day.

Photos posted by a concerned citizen on Facebook showed that Ramores had cigarette burns, severe bruises at the back of his body and his legs, and other signs of torture.

Before the incident, initial investigation revealed that on July 22, the victim was also brought to the hospital after he collapsed while performing a road run around the town. He was discharged from the hospital at around 5 p.m. on the same day.

Police Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of Bicol police, said the SITG Ramores led by Police Colonel Rodolfo Castil, deputy regional director for operations, would be conducting a detailed and thorough investigation of the incident.

Calubaquib said the National Bureau of Investigation conducted an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the police officer.

A statement released by the Bicol police said that their agency would be stringent in dealing with the case.

“By the time it has been proven that there were irregularities and loopholes that happened, this unit ensures that those who are culpable of the incident shall be dealt with accordingly. We do not tolerate any misdeeds or physical abuse in our ranks,” Bicol police said.

The agency expressed sympathy to the victim’s family and assured them they would “act swiftly to serve justice and resolve the issue.”

RELATED STORY:

Village councilor dead in Masbate shooting 

JPV/abc