21 arrested for hazing in Negros Occidental

At least 21 members of a fraternity were arrested after they were caught taking part in hazing rites in Victorias City in Negros Occidental this week.

 

The hazing rites had just started inside a house in Barangay 12 when barangay officials raided it, GMA Bacolod's Erwin Nicavera reported Wednesday.

 

Barangay chairman Gary Bacay said they received a tip that the hazing rites were to occur there.

 

"Pagdating namin, isang babae ang may piring sa mata. 'Yun ang isusunod. Bale isa pa lang ang na-hazing nila," Bacay said.

 

He said up to 27 people were taking part in the hazing, but six managed to escape.

 

The 21 arrested people included seven females and one minor. Seventeen of them were described as students of a public university in the city.

 

Recovered from the area were two paddles believed used in the hazing rites.

 

Police have informed the university about the incident, and an investigation is now underway.

 

The fraternity members, who declined to be interviewed on camera, insisted they were merely attending a "meeting" with their new colleagues. They were allowed to go home for now.

 

A separate report on Visayan Daily Star said the incident occurred Monday. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News