Army probes alleged assault of Nat’l Guard trainees at Camp Capinpin

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army is investigating allegations that several graduating National Guard trainees were physically assaulted by an instructor during a sanctioned activity at a military training school in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.

Col. Michael Aquino, public affairs chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), said on Tuesday that an investigation is underway and that the service would not tolerate any breach of discipline within its ranks.

READ: 2 Army recruits die during training in Tarlac; probe underway

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“We are currently investigating a reported incident at a division training school,” Aquino told reporters in a phone interview. “The Philippine Army will not tolerate any breach of discipline within the ranks. Once proven guilty, if a breach has been committed, those responsible will be made answerable.”

Aquino declined to provide details on the circumstances of the incident, saying it would be premature to make conclusive statements while the investigation is ongoing.

“Information gathered is that there was a sanctioned activity, and then there was an incident. That’s what we’re investigating, what really happened,” he said.

The trainees involved were part of the Army’s newly established National Guard program, which recently replaced the decades-old Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) structure in Southern Tagalog.

Under the transition, Cafgu Active Auxiliaries were absorbed into the National Guard as part of the military’s “Total Force” concept, which integrates regular troops, reservists, and auxiliaries into a unified force.

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The investigation stems from allegations aired by DZRH News that several graduating National Guard trainees were physically assaulted inside their barracks at Camp Capinpin on the eve of their graduation.

An unidentified trainee told the radio station that an instructor allegedly kicked and struck multiple recruits following a fellowship activity. The trainee also claimed that some recruits suffered injuries and were hesitant to file formal complaints for fear of jeopardizing their graduation.

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Aquino also said the instructor involved and other personnel subject to the investigation have been isolated in accordance with military protocol while the probe is being conducted.

The incident reportedly occurred on the eve of the trainees’ graduation.

Aquino said about 200 trainees were undergoing training at the school but could not immediately say how many were involved in the alleged assault.

He added that trainees under investigation would not be included in the graduation roster pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The graduation ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, is expected to proceed.

Aquino also declined to confirm reports that alcohol may have been involved, saying investigators have yet to establish the facts.

“We still have to prove what was reported. We don’t have concrete evidence,” he said.

The investigation was launched after allegations surfaced that an instructor physically assaulted several trainees inside their barracks following a fellowship activity. Some trainees alleged that they sustained injuries, although Army officials have yet to verify those claims.

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The Army has yet to release the results of its inquiry or announce whether formal charges will be filed. /jpv