Army stops 12 trainees from graduating as assault probe continues

Graduation ceremony for the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary military training proceeded as scheduled on Wednesday at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal. —PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE ARMY 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army has held back 12 trainees from graduating and becoming the newest members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary (CAA) following allegations some members of the batch were assaulted by an instructor on Monday night.

The 12 were among 200 civilian volunteers who were set to graduate on Wednesday after completing the Cafgu training at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal. The graduation rites for the rest of the batch proceeded as scheduled.

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“As of the moment, we have 12 who are supposed to graduate, who are training. They are civilian volunteers,” Col. Michael Aquino, public affairs chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, told reporters. “When there’s an investigation, they will be held first because the investigation is being finished.”

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READ: Army instructor probed for allegedly assaulting National Guard trainees

Aquino said the move did not mean the trainees had committed any violation.

“If there are no infractions, they will graduate,” he added, saying the Army wants a “swift, thorough and fair investigation.”

READ: 77 Cafgu members in Eastern Visayas get gratuity pay

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Fear of reprisal

It was earlier reported that several trainees were kicked and struck by an instructor inside their barracks after a fellowship activity that stretched from Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday.

Some recruits allegedly suffered injuries but were reluctant to file complaints for fear of being held back.

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Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ “Total Force” concept, the new graduates will become part of the CAA structure, now integrated into the National Guard framework.

Aquino said the instructor identified in the complaint, a sergeant, has been isolated from other personnel. /cb

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