5 CAVITE HAZING SUSPECTS YIELD

PHILIPPINES National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño announced that five suspects in a deadly hazing case that killed a 19-year-old 1^st year maritime student at the Philippine Nautical and Technological Colleges in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Sunday surrendered to local authorities.

According to Tuaño, four of the suspects surrendered to the mayor of General Trias municipality while the fifth surrendered to the mayor of Dasmariñes City.

The suspects are now under the custody of the Cavite Police Provincial Office.

Tuaño said the 19-year-old suspect who surrendered in Dasmariñas City was identified as one of the men who brought the already dead victim to the General Trias Medical Center.

The four others are with ages 22, 21, 18 and 19. The participation of the four in the hazing case is still being investigated.

The suspects will be charged for violation of Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, which prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools and communities.

It imposes severe penalties, including reclusion perpetua, and up to P3 million in fines, for initiations causing injury or death.

Tuaño said that as of press time, six suspects in the death of  Mark Kenneth Alcedo are already under police custody.

The “suspects and persons of interest’” who were all reported to be members of the Tau Gamma Phi were also believed to have participated in the hazing of two other PNTC students identified as Jedrick Bornea and Joel Garcia Jr..

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. said the  suspects were identified by one of the neophytes who survived the hazing in an affidavit given to police investigators.

Remulla identified the 14 suspects as John Ferson Cabrera, Archie Rosil, Felix Martin Dala, John Rey Torrecampo, John Lee Tuliao, John Vincent Malipot, Niel Nicholas Rapatan, John Michael Jagonoy, Dar Sabilona, Zidane Manglanlan, Gabriel Vergara, Kurt dela Cruz, Kenneth Ompod and one alias ‘Mark.’

Three other “POIs” identified only as “John Does” are also being sought for questioning by the Cavite police under Col. Ariel R. Red.

An investigation by the Cavite police showed the three men who brought Alcedo to the hospital claimed he was a victim of a “hit-and-run” incident.

Police later discovered that Alcedo was not a “hit-and-run” victim but a hazing victim.

The hazing was believed to have taken place in an open field in Langkaan 1 in Dasmariñas City.

An autopsy conducted by a PNP medico-legal officer showed that the victim died due to severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.