Thirty-two law students of San Beda College have been charged with violating the antihazing law in connection with the death of Marc Andre Marcos, according to a source in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The source said 22 of the students were from San Beda Manila while the rest were from San Beda in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. They were charged in the prosecutor’s office in Dasmariñas, Cavite, last week.
Based on the findings of the NBI, all of the accused are members of Lex Leonum Fraternitas.
They were also present during the hazing rites for Marcos and other neophytes which were held in the house of one of the accused, Gian Angelo Veluz, in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on July 29, the source added.
Among those charged were Veluz, Jenno Antonio Villanueva, Edward Jeffrey Santiago, Richard Rosales, Julius Alcancia, Marvin Reyes, Mohammed Fyzee Alim and Chino Amante.
According to the source, a person who was present during the initiation rites came forward and narrated the incidents which led to Marcos’ death.
The witness who is now in the custody of the Department of Justice described himself as Marcos’ “guide” during the ceremony.
In his sworn statement to the NBI, the witness said the victim went through four stages of the hazing rites which lasted for at least two hours.
In one stage, Marcos was asked to spell out the fraternity’s name. Every time he said a letter, the back of his thighs were hit with a paddle.
The witness said that after being hit 10 times, the victim was already gasping for breath.
He added that Marcos, a law freshman, was also quizzed on various topics related to his course. Every time he came up with the wrong answer, he was hit with a paddle.
In Marcos’ case, he was able to answer correctly only one of the 10 questions directed at him, the witness said.
He narrated that at one point during the initiation, Marcos lost his balance and fell to the floor. He lost consciousness but before he did, he said he was feeling sleepy.