Army instructor probed for allegedly assaulting National Guard trainees

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, on Monday night.

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 hold accountable those behind the supposed incident.

“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.”

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Sanctioned activity

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.

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“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.

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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.

The investigation stems from allegations aired over dzRH News that several National Guard trainees were physically assaulted inside their barracks at Camp Capinpin.

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An unidentified trainee told the radio station that an instructor allegedly kicked and struck many recruits following a fellowship activity that lasted from Monday night to the early hours of Tuesday.

Post-fellowship ‘assault’

The trainee also claimed that some recruits suffered injuries but were hesitant to file formal complaints for fear of jeopardizing their graduation.

Aquino, meanwhile, said the instructor and other personnel being investigated have been isolated in accordance with military protocol.

He added that about 200 recruits were undergoing training at the school but could not immediately say how many were involved in the incident. He added that trainees covered by the investigation would not be included in the graduation roster pending its outcome.

The graduation ceremony is set for Wednesday, June 24.

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

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