Hazing raps to be filed vs. 4 suspects in death of criminology student

The four persons of interest in the death of a 25-year-old criminology student who are under police custody will be facing charges of violating the Anti-Hazing Law, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, QCPD director Police Brigadier General Red Maranan said two out of these four suspects have made an extrajudicial confession regarding the alleged hazing incident.

“Umaamin sila na talagang kasama sila doon sa sinasabing initiation rites. Nakikipagtulungan sila sa atin. Nakapagbigay pa sila ng sampu pa na kasamahan nila doon sa initiation, kaya madaragdagan ang mapa-file-an natin ng kaso,” Maranan said.

(They admit that they participated in the initiation rites. They are cooperating with us. They have given ten more names involved in the initiation and we will also file cases against them.)

The victim has been identified as Ahldryn Bravante who allegedly died during a hazing ceremony in an abandoned building at the corner of Sto. Domingo Avenue and Calamba Street in Quezon City on Monday.

The two suspects, during a police interview, said that they were members of Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity. They also said that Bravante was a neophyte who underwent an initiation rite with the frat members.

Based on cursory examination, Bravante sustained hematoma on both legs and marks of burned cigarette on his chest and both hands.

QCPD spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel May Genio said that charges against the four suspects will be filed within the day for violation of Republic Act 11053 or Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.

“Ang nag-plano o lumahok sa hazing na ito ay mahaharap sa parusang reclusion perpetua o hanggang 40 years na taong pagkakakulong at multang P3 milyon kung ang hazing ay magre-resulta sa kamatayan kagaya nga nito,” she said in an Unang Balita interview.

(Those who planned or participated in this hazing will face the punishment of reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison, and a fine of P3 million if the hazing resulted in death, like in this case.)

Maranan said that based on CCTV footage, there were almost 20 people involved in the hazing, and the QCPD has so far identified ten suspects, aside from the four suspects in their custody. —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News