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Leader of fraternity linked to hazing death shows up at NBI


The highest leader of the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity on Thursday appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to "cooperate" in the probe on the death of a supposed hazing victim from San Beda College. But Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima, who presented Grand Rhoan Eduardo Escobal II to the media, said authorities are not yet considering him a suspect in the death of freshman law student Marvin Reglos. "At this moment, he is not yet a suspect so he is not being treated as a suspect but he will be subjected to questioning by investigators," De Lima said, adding that the fraternity leader "cannot be detained yet." De Lima said three more members of the Lambda Rho Beta are expected to show up "either later in the day or tomorrow" [Friday] to help shed light on the incident. Escobal, clad in a white jacket, was accompanied by lawyers Redemberto Villanueva and Ariel Radovan. Villanueva is the former legal counsel of Maguindanao massacre suspect Rizaldy "Zaldy" Ampatuan. The fraternity made headlines after 25-year-old Reglos died Sunday, supposedly after participating in initiation rights by the fraternity in Antipolo, Rizal.   The victim's father and sister on Wednesday met with De Lima to seek a thorough investigation on the death of their loved one. In response, the Justice secretary has already ordered a parallel probe into the incident, ordering the NBI – an attached agency of the DOJ – to conduct another autopsy on Reglos' remains. The Philippine National Police is the lead agency in the investigation of Reglos' death. In a prepared statement, Radovan, who is the "temporary spokesperson" of the fraternity, said Lambda Rho Beta condemned Reglos' death, adding that the group will extend financial assistance to the victim's family. "Lambda Rho Beta does not tolerate hazing. We denounce hazing or any barbaric act," said Radovan. The Lambda Rho Beta fraternity is the counterpart of San Beda Law's Lambda Rho Sigma sorority that De Lima co-founded. — LBG, GMA News

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