Manila, Feb. 10 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday warned units nationwide against conducting initiation rites and hazing activities that endanger trainees and recruits.

The warning followed a Basilan incident that led to the relief of the entire Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14-B.

"This should serve as a warning to other police offices and units not to engage in this kind of activity," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

About 70 RMFB 14-B personnel were relieved after complaints that recruits were physically harmed during alleged welcome rites. Photos and videos of the incident went viral on social media.

Nartatez said the PNP does not condone hazing and has launched an investigati...