Police identify owner of farm where fatal hazing took place

Mark Andrei Marcos, a San Beda College of Law freshman, has become the latest victim of fraternity hazing. MARCOS FAMILY/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A police official on Wednesday said the son of the owner of a farm in Dasmariñas City, where a San Beda College freshman law student underwent hazing rites before he died in a hospital, was a member of a fraternity on the school’s campus in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Senior Superintendent John Bulalacao, Cavite police director, said police investigators were able to confirm that Gian Angelo Velus belongs to the Lex Leonum Fraternitas, an “underground” fraternity at San Beda’s Alabang branch.

He said Velus is the son of former Dasmariñas Councilor Ethan Velus, who owns the five-hectare farm where victim Mark Andrei Marcos, 21, was allegedly subjected to beatings before succumbing to his injuries.

“Our investigation is now focused on the possible involvement of Lex Leonum Fraternitas where Gian Velus is a member according to the fraternity’s website,” Bulalacao said in a mobile phone interview.

He said investigators had spoken to the elder Velus, who denied any knowledge of the fraternity’s alleged  hazing rites on his farm.

Velus’ father denied the claim of Soledad Sanda and Marlen Guadayo, the women who took Marcos to the De La Salle University Medical Center, that they were caretakers of his farm, according to Bulalacao.

Asked if the police were considering Velus a suspect in Marcos’ death, he said, “If he continues to disregard our invitation and if he continues not to cooperate with us to shed light on the incident, of course he will be considered a suspect.”