Prosecutor OKs raps vs 8 in Bedan’s hazing death

Giving weight to the evidence presented by the Antipolo City police, a city prosecutor has recommended the indictment of eight more suspects in the death of Marvin Reglos, the San Beda College law freshman who was allegedly killed in fraternity hazing rites in February.

In a resolution on Thursday, assistant city prosecutor Christian Banggui found probable cause against Lambda Rho Beta (LRB) fraternity leader Eduardo Casimiro Escobal and alleged members Kevin Jordan Mendoza, Norman Espinoza, Marco Antonio Ampil, Kelvin Brian Pe, Israel Cruz, Christian Adobo, and Mar Grien Arcenar Gregana.

Dennis Pangan, lawyer for the Reglos family, said “the fiscal found merit in the Antipolo police’s theory that the hazing took place at Guillean’s Place [resort], instead of [upholding] the National Bureau of Investigation’s finding that it was held elsewhere.”

In its own investigation of the killing, the NBI said another fraternity – not the LRB which Reglos was trying to join – was staying at the resort when the alleged hazing occurred, based on the statement of one of the accused, Adobo, who claimed to be a student of the University of Santo Tomas.

Two students linked to the fraternity – Bodjie Bobby Yap and Eric Castillo – are now on trial for violation of the anti-hazing law in relation to murder at Antipolo regional trial court Branch 97.

Charged with a non-bailable offense, the two remained detained at Rizal Provincial Jail since their arrest shortly after Reglos’ death.

Prosecutor Banggui, however, cleared eight other suspects for lack of probable cause.

Reglos, the 25-year-old son of an overseas Filipino worker in Isabela, succumbed to injuries allegedly sustained during hazing rites on February 19.

The crime was discovered when a group of men brought the injured victim to a hospital in Antipolo, then hurriedly left. Yap and Castillo were arrested when they showed up later in the hospital to check on Reglos and aroused suspicion from police.

Pangan said Friday, “The family of the victim was generally satisfied. From two, we now have 10 accused.”

The lawyer said the Reglos family expected the court to issue arrest warrants against the eight other accused anytime soon.