Cops hunting for suspects in death from hazing of teen in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY––The police are tracking down the persons responsible for the hazing of an 18-year-old resident of San Enrique, Negros Occidental, who died on Sept. 9.

Mayor Jilson Tubillara said he had directed the town police to dig deeper into the case and arrest the culprits in the death of a Grade 10 high school student from Purok Mainuswagon, Barangay Guintorilan, in San Enrique town.

The victim’s parents reported to the police that their son died at 6 a.m. on Sept. 9 after being subjected to hazing by fraternity members.

An investigation revealed that the victim had applied to be a member of Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity in San Enrique. His initiation rites were allegedly conducted in March when he was 17 but was denied membership because he was a minor, Major Bonifacio Aral Jr., town police chief, said.

On Sept. 3, the victim’s 18th birthday, he and three fraternity members had a drinking spree in his house.

When the drinking spree ended at 10 p.m., the victim was blindfolded and brought by the suspects for alleged re-initiation rites.

The victim returned to his house at 1 a.m. on Sept. 4. His mother noticed that he could not walk properly.

On Sept. 8, the victim complained to his mother that he was not feeling well and needed medicine.

He told his parents that fraternity men re-initiated him at an unknown place because he was blindfolded. The three suspects took turns hitting his buttocks with a wood paddle, the police report said.

The body of the victim was subjected to a post mortem examination.

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