By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Another member of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity linked to the alleged fatal hazing of a 19-year-old maritime student in Cavite has surrendered to authorities.
The 26-year-old suspect turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) on Monday night accompanied by his counsel, according to CIDG-NCR chief Col. John Guiagui on Tuesday.
“Yes, there is one person who surrendered to us and along with his counsel, came to us last night in relation to the hazing that happened in Trece Martires,” Guiagui said in a press briefing.
He added that the suspect will be turned over to Trece Martires police.
The latest surrender brought the number of suspects already in police custody to seven, with 11 more still at large.
“We are exerting our efforts to reach out to those named and those involved in the incident in General Trias and we are expecting more to come to our office,” Guiagui said.
Lawyer Jayve Grospe, the suspect’s counsel, said his client chose to surrender to the CIDG-NCR “because he thought it was safer for him to reach out to” them.
“I myself convinced him to surrender because, first of all, it shows respect for our justice system and the rule of law. Secondly, it is our response to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s call to surrender,” Grospe told reporters in Camp Crame.
Grospe said his client has maintained his innocence but has yet to confirm nor deny his presence at the alleged hazing.
Police earlier said cases for violation of Republic Act 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Law, will be filed against the suspects through regular procedures.
The victim, Mark Kenneth Alcedo, died while allegedly undergoing initiation rites with two other neophytes on March 1.
An autopsy showed Alcedo died of blunt force trauma to the lower extremities. Police investigators also found fruits and chili seeds on his groin and buttocks. (PNA)
