4 hurt in scuffle of 20 fratmen at hotel lobby

Manila Police District (RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA — Four were hurt when about 20 members of the Gamma Delta Epsilon Fraternity and Aeges Juris Fraternity figured in a scuffle at the entrance lobby of the Manila Hotel early Sunday morning.

A report signed by the Manila Police District Ermita police station chief, Supt. Romeo Desiderio, identified the “victims” as Ramon Gicos, 25; Jeherson Ayong, 33; Ron Resurrecion, 28; and Carmelo Gaite.

The same police station identified the “suspects” as Von Paulo Añonuevo, Arvin Balag, Ralph Cabales, Marcelino Bagtang, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Mhin Wei Chan, and Justin Carlos Garcia.

The scuffle happened about 4 a.m., said Chief Inspector Arsenio Riparip, chief of MPD general assignment investigation section.

After the brawl, the groups ran away from the hotel.

Riparip explained that the police have not decided whether to file a criminal complaint against the groups.

Riparip added that none of the suspects was arrested. He said both groups went to the police office to have the incident recorded in the blotter.

“It will be a charge-counter charge scenario, which means they will file charges against each other,” Riparip told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Lawyer Joshua Estipona, who represented the Gamma Delta Espilon, declined to elaborate on what happened. He said both groups were just trying to get “last minute tips” as part of their preparations for the bar examination when the scuffle ensued.

Police are still establishing who started it and why it erupted.

Members of the Aeges Juris, meanwhile, laughed as they turned down the request for interview.

In his written statement to the police, Trangia, 21, said he and some of his frat brothers were staying at the hotel during the weekends.

Before the scuffle, he said, they were waiting for the valet to bring the car when Ayong allegedly approached them.

“Pumunta sa gitna namin si Ayong at pumapalakpak at nagsabi na ‘Ingat kayo mamaya sa amin.’ Tapos di lang namin pinansin nung una, pero tinitigan niya yong brod ko tapos binangga (Ayong approached us, stepped right into our circle, clapped his hands, and said, ‘You better watch out for us,’” Trangia said, adding Ayong was with four men.

Then, a brawl ensued.

Chan echoed what Trangia said. He also accused members of the Gamma Delta Epsilon of being drunk during the fight. He added that the Gamma fraternity members were armed with belts and batons.

Both Trangia and Chan were from the Aegis Juris Fraternity.

Garcia said the “rumble” started after he kicked Ayong.

Garcia said they were standing outside the hotel, when Ayong and his frat brothers arrived.

“Pumagitna si Jeherson Ayong at tinulak ang dalawa kong brod. Pinalagpas namin ang naturang panunulak ngunit patuloy pa rin ang masamang tingin ni Ayong (Jeherson Ayon stepped into our circle and pushed our two brods. We let that passed but Ayong kept on glaring at us),” Garcia said.

“Papasok na sana si Ayong sa pinto ng Manila Hotel ng biglang humarap sa amin at lumapit sa akin na tila magbibitaw ng suntok. Doon na ako napilitang sipain siya at doon na nagsimula ang rambol (Ayong was about to step into the Manila Hotel when he suddenly turned towards us, approached me and seemed ready to throw a punch. That was when I was forced to kick him, which triggered the rumble),” he added.   SFM