By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Police have started pursuing individuals linked to the alleged hazing death of a 19-year-old maritime student in Cavite.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said 21 people were identified, nine of whom are considered suspects with direct participation. The rest are persons of interest.
“Nagbigay ng instruction ang ating chief PNP na mag-file immediately ng kaso doon sa nasa custody ng PNP sa General Trias (Our PNP chief has given instructions to immediately file a case against those in the custody of the PNP in General Trias,” Tuaño said.
General Trias police chief Lt. Col. Bismark Mendoza said officers have so far visited five of the 21 implicated individuals’ homes.
“We already proceeded to their respective houses and possible hiding places and, up to now, nagko-conduct tayo ng hot pursuit operations kasi wala sila sa given address nila (We already proceeded to their respective houses and possible hiding places and, up to now, we’re conducting hot pursuit operations because they were not at their given addresses),” he said in the same press briefing.
Cavite police chief Col. Ariel Red said one suspect — the driver of a Mitsubishi Mirage that brought the victim to the hospital as seen on CCTV — surrendered to authorities Tuesday night.
The victim, Kenneth Alcedo, was brought to a hospital in General Trias on Sunday by three individuals who initially claimed he was a victim of a hit-and-run.
Red said Alcedo died of severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.
The hazing reportedly occurred in an open field in Barangay Langkaan, Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Tuaño said two other neophytes underwent initiation rites and urged them to come forward.
“Hinihikayat ng PNP ‘yung dalawa pa kasama ng biktima na makipag-ugnayan sa PNP para obligahin ang kanilang sariling version para tuloy-tuloy yung imbestigasyon at fil-an natin ng tamang kaso (The PNP is encouraging the other two persons with the victim to contact the PNP to oblige them to tell their own version so that the investigation can continue and we can file the right case),” he said.
Authorities have yet to name the suspect in custody as well as the fraternity and school involved.
Alcedo’s father Jun, meanwhile, vowed to pursue justice for his son’s death.
“What I can promise is what I said in front of his coffin that we will fight until the end. No matter what comes our way,” he said in an interview with reporters. (PNA)
