Witness in hazing case to tag frat members

One of the neophytes who underwent hazing at the same time as San Beda student Marvin Reglos surfaced yesterday at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and offered to identify the fraternity members responsible for the law school freshman’s death.

“He told us that he is willing to cooperate and that he would be executing an affidavit so he could narrate what happened and identify the members of the fraternity who were there and who were responsible,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters.

De Lima said that a second neophyte who almost died during the hazing rites was also expected to show up at the DOJ to give his testimony.

“Once he has his affidavit, we will share that with the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the Philippine National Police so that [it] can be used in their investigation,” she added.

“Let’s see how many more these victims would be able to identify [so that they could] be included in the case filed before the court,” De Lima said.

Reglos, the 25-year-old son of a farmer and overseas Filipino worker, died of injuries he sustained during hazing rites conducted on Feb. 19 by members of the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity at a private resort in Antipolo City.

On Monday, the police said they would file charges against the highest official of the fraternity, Grand Rhoan Eduardo Escobal II, and 15 other suspects whom they have already identified.

Earlier, the police charged with murder San Sebastian College students Erick Castillo and Bodjie Yap who remain detained at the Antipolo police headquarters.