The remains of Marvin Reglos lies in state at Abbey Church of Our Lady of Montserrat in Manila. Beside the coffin are his father Lucito and sister Lorlie. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday reprimanded an official of the National Bureau of Investigation for stopping its investigation into the death of San Beda student Marvin Reglos.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the implementation of Republic Act No. 8049 or the “Anti-Hazing Law”, Reglos’ sister Lorvie said that they withdrew their case from the NBI when its investigators did not get the testimony of their sole witness, a fellow neophyte of her brother in the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity. Reglos said that they could not find the witness now.
However, Enrile said that the family’s withdrawal of the case was not an excuse to terminate the investigation.
“Why did you stop? You should continue investigating not for them but for the people of the Philippines,” Enrile told lawyer Medardo De Lemos, deputy director of the NBI.
“You should take the initiative to investigate. That is what you are paid for… Kailangan ba ng order ng pamilya [Does it have to be ordered by the family]?” Enrile said.
“It is in the interest of the state to see to it that crimes are punished,” he added.
For his part, De Lemos said that he was not aware that the investigators did not get the testimony of the witness, claiming he was only informed that they stopped the investigation after Reglos’ family withdrew their complaint. Nevertheless, De Lemos said that he would look into the matter.