Tau Gamma Phi wants to resolve hazing incident peacefully

The Tau Gamma Phi fraternity on Wednesday asked for a peaceful resolution of the hazing incident that killed a De La Salle-College of St. Benilde student.

 

The fraternity's adviser, Atty. Jay Castro, sought a meeting with the family of Guillo Cesar Servando, the hazing victim, and the families of the suspects implicated in the case.

 

"After this incident happened, as an adviser of this fraternity, and at the same time as a lawyer… [we would like a] discussion with the family," Castro said during a roundtable discussion of fraternities and school organizations organized by the National Youth Commission.

 

"We want this matter to end in a peaceful way so that we will be able to give justice to the family of the late Servando," he noted.

 

Servando died on June 28 after succumbing to serious physical injuries he had during an initiation rite of Tau Gamma Phi. Aside from the 18-year-old, three others including a minor were injured from the hazing incident.

 

"Pinakamaganda talaga rito kung makakapag-usap ang pamilya ng biktima at pamilya naman ng mga brods namin sa mga ganitong pangyayari," Castro added.

 

"Our objective now is to find justice for everybody not only for the family of the deceased but also for those [who were] suspected of having participated in the incident," the frat adviser said, adding that he was sorry for the "shattered dreams" of their members implicated in the incident. 

 

"I believe that in due time peace will be found between the offended party and the alleged offenders," he pointed out.

 

Meanwhile, Castro stressed that the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity is fully cooperating with the authorities on the case's investigation.

 

"Tau Gamma Phi has expressed sadness over this incident. We would like to make it clear that we do not advocate the killing of neophytes. On the other hand, it is our objective that we would be able to move the member of Tau Gamma Fraternity responsible," he said.

 

On Tuesday night, a suspect in the hazing incident surrendered to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. Subsequently, the suspect was provisionally admitted to Witness Protection Program after executing a statement. 

 

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday confirmed that a suspect in the hazing incident, Kevin John Navoa, has left the country en route to the United States. 

 

The suspect left the country three days after the hazing incident took place in Makati City. —KG, GMA News