Cops probe suspected hazing in Antipolo
(Updated 10:53 a.m.) - Police are now tracking down the parties involved in the suspected fatal hazing of a law student in Antipolo City last weekend.
The victim, initially identified as Melvin, was brought to the Unciano Medical Center at 3 p.m. Sunday by four men, radio dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported.
At the time, many parts of the victim’s body were discolored, the dzBB report said.
"Sa braso niya, likod hanggang paa, binti, ito ay talagang may hematoma. 'Yung kulay-talong talaga, ube," said Zamora in a report on Saksi aired on Monday. Doctors tried to revive the victim but failed to do so.
Police are verifying information the victim may be a student of a Metro Manila-based university and may have undergone initiation rites at a fraternity.
While they did not immediately give the name of the victim, they described him as 5’6” to 5’7” tall, medium-built, and fair-complexioned.
The victim was wearing a white shirt and denim pants. The body was brought to the Antipolo Funeral Homes.
Antipolo City police spokesman Senior Inspector Ronald Roldan Zamora said they have invited some witnesses to shed light on the incident. In the Saksi report, Zamora said two hospital visitors, identified as Eric Castillo and Bodjie Yap, claimed to know the victim and were brought to the Antipolo police station for questioning.
"Sinasabi nila na kakilala nila, kaya ang ginawa ng pulis natin, in-invite sila dito para malaman ang identity nung victim," he said.
During the investigation, suspicious messages were found in the visitors' cellphones. The two underwent inquest proceedings, on suspicion for murder under RA 8049, also known as the Anti-hazing Law.
Castillo and Yap both declined to issue statements.
Under the law, hazing is a non-bailable offense if it results in the death of the victim. Section 4 states that "the person or persons who participated in the hazing shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua if death, rape, sodomy or mutilation results there from."
Investigators cited witnesses who said the four men brought the victim to the hospital aboard a red Honda City-type sedan (WNF-174), the dzBB report said.
Based on the vehicle's plate number, police went to the home address of the vehicle's owner, but were told that the owner no longer lived there.
Apart from the two suspects who are currently being held, police are searching for 15 others who may have been involved in the killing, the Saksi report said.
Apart from the two suspects who are currently being held, police are searching for 15 others who may have been involved in the killing, the Saksi report said.
Police also went to San Beda College, where the victim is believed to have been a student. The school declined to give a statement on the matter.
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