NBI gets surrender-feelers from hazing suspects

Suspects in the death of alleged hazing victim De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde student Guillo Servando have allegedly decided to surrender to authorities, an official of the National Bureau of Investigation said on Wednesday.

 

Lawyer Joel Tovera, chief of the NBI Death Investigation Unit said the bureau was coordinating with the Philippine National Police to identify and arrest those responsible for the death over the weekend of the 18-year-old college sophomore.

 

"To tell you frankly, since Monday mayroon nang tumawag sa atin na susurrender na ang grupo. Iyong grupo, sinasabi nila grupo eh," Tovera said.

 

Tovera said an NBI agent was able to talk to a caller, who spoke of "surrender feelers." The NBI, however, has yet to hear from the caller again.

 

"Ni-report ko kay NBI director (Virgilio Mendez) na, 'Sir, may surrender feeler,'" said Tovera.

 

"Hindi niya nabanggit (ang pangalan niya). (Sabi lang ng NBI agent) 'Pare, nakipag-coordinate na sa akin na susurrender sila,'" he added.

 

Tovera also said the NBI was already "contemplating" on securing a search warrant from a court to gather pieces of evidence from the house in Barangay Palanan in Makati City where the initiation rites allegedly happened.

 

The NBI said someone from the neighborhood has agreed to become a witness but has yet to execute a sworn statement. "Kapitbahay siya at nabanggit niya na may napapansin na siya (nung araw ng initiation rites," said Tovera.

 

From the Makati residence, Servando and the rest of the neophytes were said to have been first brought to the One Archer's Place condominium on Taft Avenue in Manila, before he was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

 

Three of his fellow neophytes were injured after the initiation rites.

 

Tovera said another "eye witness" - an employee at the maintenance section of the condominium - has agreed to help investigators identify suspects in the alleged hazing.

 

"May nababanggit siya na kapag makita niya, makikilala niya sila," Tovera said.

 

The Manila Police District homicide division said Servando had bruises on his legs and back when he was found, bolstering speculation that he was a victim of hazing.

 

Servando's remains were brought to La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City for a private wake.

 

At least one suspect in the fatal hazing of Servando last weekend has surrendered to police Tuesday and is undergoing custodial investigation.

 

The Manila Police District said the suspect, who's a member of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity but whose name was withheld for security reasons, may be turned over to the Makati City police. 

 

The condo employee said he was not involved in the crime, but merely helped in carrying the injured neophytes because he thought they were only drunk. He said he was on duty when the group arrived at the condo.

 

"Nanghingi sila (suspects) ng tulong. Wala naman masama tumulong. Tinanong sila nung guwardiya. Iyong lasing? Sabi nila, “Oo lasing yung kasama namin,” said the condo employee who refused to be identified.

 

"Ang nagsabi sa kin ung guardiya na tulungan sila," he added. —NB, GMA News