Police to amend case against fraternity men in Marcos death

MANILA, Philippines – Police are preparing to amend their case against those involved in the hazing that caused the death of San Beda law student Marc Andre Marcos to include the supposed owner of the farm where the hazing took place and more than 30 other persons.

“In the amended complaint we are going to add a number of new respondents, like Gian Veluz’s father, a certain Cornelio Marcelo, Soledad and Marlyn, a certain Mark, and 30 to 35 John Does,” Superintendent Romeo Desiderio, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) Spokesman, told reporters in a briefing Monday.

Angelito Veluz, the father of primary suspect Gian Angelo Veluz, is undergoing investigation to determine if he owns the farm in Dasmariñas City, where the fraternity Lex Leonnum Fraternitas held the brutal initiation rites to nine freshmen, Desiderio said.

“The owner of the place where hazing [was] conducted shall be liable as an accomplice, especially when he has actual knowledge of the hazing conducted [at the farm] but failed to take any action to prevent the [illegal activity]…,” he said citing Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

Two house maids, identified as Marlyn Guadayo and Soledad Sanda, who helped Gian bring Marcos to hospital are believed by police to be in hiding.

Another complaint will also be filed against the suspects who inflicted injuries to eight other victims of hazing. Two of the eight victims were identified as freshmen Ryan Christopher Maranan and Ephraim Daniel Lara, both first year law students of San Beda College Mendiola.

When asked how they were able to identify the people who conducted the initiation rituals, Desiderio said that it was based on statements given by Maranan and Lara, who had earlier agreed to turn witnesses.

He said they are summoning other persons involved in the hazing to give their account in order to complete their investigation.

“That’s not yet final; we are still drafting and it is still being reviewed by our legal team,” Desiderio said.

He said that they might be able to file the amendment either this week or next week.

“We need the other neophytes and other victims to surface and cooperate with [police],” he added.