Frat member surrenders, apologizes to hazing victim's family

A member of a fraternity has surrendered to authorities and apologized to the family of 18-year-old Raymark "RR" Rabutazo who died after the initiation rites held in Kalayaan, Laguna.

According to Ian Cruz’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday, suspect Kerby Galero was among the nine suspects facing charges before the Laguna Prosecutor's Office over Rabutazo's death.

“Humihingi po ako ng tawad sa nagawa namin hindi po namin sinasadya ‘yun. Malalaman niyo naman po yung totoong nangyari. Wag lang po sana kayo maniwala sa mga sabi-sabi muna at mga kwento kwento,” Galero said.

(I apologized for what we did, we didn't mean it. They will know what really happened. Please don't believe the rumors and stories.)

The medico legal report indicated that the Grade 12 student suffered subdural hemorrhage secondary to blunt head trauma.

Galero, however, refuted the claims of the report.

“Wala kaming sinasagawang initiation rights sa ulo, at sa mukha,” he said.

(We don't include the head and face during initiation rites.)

Meanwhile, the family of Galero said they did not accept the apology of the suspect, adding that a fraternity member tried to give a donation, which they also refused to accept.

“Ang sama ng loob ko, hindi nila nararamdaman… napakasakit,” Maricar Rabutazo, mother of the victim, said.

(It is very painful, they do not know our loss.)

Another suspect, Kevin Perez, also earlier surrendered to the police. He was tagged as the alleged “master initiator” during the hazing.

Two other suspects, Reyvince Espaldon and Venzon Benedict Lacaocao, allegedly officers of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, earlier underwent inquest proceedings at the Laguna Prosecutor's Office for homicide and violation of anti-hazing law.

Authorities are still looking for the other suspects in the hazing incident.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News