Town councilor in Capiz hazing case missing

MANILA, Philippines — A town councilor linked to a hazing in Capiz province has gone missing since a local court ordered his arrest, an online news site reported. The News Today (www.thenewstoday.info) reported that Ivisan town council member Christian Zander Mendoza had been absent from regular sessions since last month. Ivisan town mayor Isaias Arboleda said Mendoza, who has 17.5 days sick leave and 15.5 days vacation leave, filed a leave of absence last December 23. "We don't know about his hazing case since we were not furnished with the warrant of arrest against him," Arboleda said, adding that Mendoza could file an indefinite leave or graceful exit since his case has no bail recommended. Mayor Felipe Yap said he was saddened to learn of Mendoza's legal problems, saying he is a good man. "But the case is already in court so let's wait for the court to decide on it," he said. Last Jan. 5, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Daniel Antonio Gerardo Amular of Branch 21 in Mambusao issued a warrant of arrest against Mendoza and seven others for a hazing case. Other respondents were Phil Raff Patricio of President Roxas, Dinkee Mandar of Punta Tabuc, Ramil Bula of Loctugan, Edeneo Machado of Malipayon Village, Archie Durana of Salgan, Maayon; Dexter Alvarez of Lonoy, Sapian; and Roque Isiderio, a municipal employee of Mambusao. All suspects remain at large. The case stemmed from the death of Jan Angelo Dollete, 21, an engineering student of Capiz State University (Capsu) on May 6, 2006. Dollete died on arrival at the Mambusao District Hospital. Investigation showed he was killed during a fraternity hazing rite in Sapian, Capiz. The victim's father, Jesus Dollete, has asked the Department of Justice to resolve the petition for review seeking the inclusion of three more suspects, Christina Dyna Baldesimo-Honrado, Joel Bellosillo and Sylvester Bellosillo after the investigating prosecutor exonerated them from the case. - GMANews.TV