Suspect in alleged hazing death of 19-year old maritime student surrenders

The driver of the car that left a 19-year old freshman maritime student who died in an alleged hazing in Cavite to a hospital has surrendered to authorities on Tuesday. 

According to Cavite Police Provincial Director P/Colonel Ariel Red, the suspect is now in the custody of the General Trias Component Police Station.

In Jun Veneracion’s report in “Saksi”, the body of Kenneth Alcedo, a student of PNTC Colleges in Dasmariñas, bore injuries that strongly indicate these were inflicted during initiation rites. 

Last Sunday, a gray sedan brought Kenneth to a hospital in Dasmariñas. The car bore three other occupants, the driver and two men who claimed the unconscious student was a victim of a hit and run. 

At the emergency room, medical staff conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Kenneth, but it was too late for the young man. 

Police said the hospital informed them the victim was already dead upon arrival at the ER.

CCTV footage captured the driver of the vehicle attempting to flee once they dropped off Kenneth.His two companions, who were wearing hoodies at that time, were about to board when a security guard stopped them and instructed them to proceed to the ER. 

However, the three men found an opportunity to flee and left the victim. 

Police said Kenneth was subjected to multiple physical blows on both thighs and other abuses.

“We saw and verified that this victim, almost his entire thighs had turned black, which is a clear sign that a beating or initiation rites took place. In addition, his private parts, his groin, had chili seeds; they really put chili on his private parts,” said General Trias Police chief P/Lt. Colonel Bismark Mendoza. 

Kenneth’s grieving parents said they could not accept what happened to their son, who dreamt of becoming a seaman to help his family. 

“I thought he would achieve his dream of becoming a seaman in school. But it is where his life ended and it’s hard to accept that,” said Gemma Alcedo, the victim’s mother. 

Kenneth, who is the youngest child, told his parents that he was going on an outing early Sunday. The next time his parents saw him was his battered remains at a funeral parlor. 

“His hands were crushed with pliers, and there were so many bruises on his back—his thighs, especially at the back, were truly swollen and purple. What is really heartbreaking is that they even put chili inside his private parts and here in his anus,” said Jun Alcedo. 

The car that delivered Kenneth was found abandoned in an area three barangays away from the hospital.

Authorities recovered a school ID and fraternity uniforms inside the vehicle, but the Philippine National Police has declined to identify them for the time being.

The police also reached out to the registered car owner, but the latter said he already sold the car. The authorities later went to the buyer but he also said that he already sold the car to another person. 

When the police located the last buyer of the car, he told authorities it was his brother who used the vehicle. 

The information helped investigators to identify the driver of the car found outside the emergency room. They said they already have an idea as to the identities of his two companions. 

“Definitely, these names we have are members of the fraternity to which the suspects belong, and most of them are students at that school,” said Mendoza. 

Kenneth’s family called on the suspects to surrender. 

“The ones who did that aren't human—they're demons. There was no 'brotherhood' there, sir, because what happened wasn't just hazing—it seems like there was an intent to kill, because it was pure torture,” his father said. 

Further, the police believe that there are other individuals involved in the hazing of Kenneth. It added that they could face charges for violation of the anti-hazing law, which warrants lifetime imprisonment. 

“To those who have knowledge of what happened, we encourage them to come forward and be man enough to take responsibility for what occurred, or to provide information to bring justice for what happened to this man,” said Mendoza. 

Meanwhile, school officials said they are already coordinating with the investigation. They added that those behind the hazing will be held liable. 

“Hazing in any form is strictly prohibited within our institution, as it directly violates our values, endangers lives, and has no place in any educational community. The school will pursue the maximum disciplinary sanctions and legal remedies available against any individual, group, or organization found responsible,” PNTC Colleges said in a statement. —RF, GMA Integrated News