Jonvic to suspects in maritime student’s hazing death: Surrender or be hunted down

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MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity tagged in the hazing death of a freshman maritime student in Cavite should surrender immediately or face a police manhunt, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned yesterday.

Remulla issued the warning following a meeting with senior leaders of the fraternity in Manila, which was attended by officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He identified 16 of the fraternity members as John Ferson Cabrera, Kurt dela Cruz, Felix Martin Dala, John Michael Hagonoy, John Vincent Malipot, Zidane Manglanlan, Neil Nicholas Rapatan, Archie Rosal, Dar Sabilona, Joy Rey Torrecampo, John Lee Tuliao, Gabriel Vergara, neophytes Jedrick Bornea and Joel Marcia Garcia Jr. as well as an alias Kenneth Ompodan and alias Mark.

The suspects, who are 18 to 19 years old, were tagged in the death of Mark Kenneth Alcedo, 19, a freshman maritime student at the Philippine Nautical and Technological Colleges (PNTC) based in Dasmariñas City.

Remulla said an immigration lookout bulletin order has been issued against the suspects.

“Don’t wait for the PNP to hunt you down, or it might get worse,” Remulla said at a news briefing.

“There is no EJK involved here, but surrender is better than a police pursuit operation,” he added, referring to extra-judicial killing.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez echoed Remulla’s call, saying the sooner the suspects turn themselves in, the better as this can help solve the case quickly.

“We may even identify some of them as either victims or suspects,” Nartatez said.

Authorities have yet to determine if all suspects are students of the PNTC.

Remulla said the other neophytes who underwent hazing along with Alcedo should cooperate in the investigation, otherwise they may face charges under the Anti-Hazing Law.

During the meeting, Remulla said he told officials of the Tau Gamma to cooperate with the PNP as he  found it difficult to accept that another resident of Cavite, his home province, had died from hazing conducted by the same fraternity.

In February 2023, student John Matthew Salilig died after undergoing hazing conducted by the Tau Gamma.

Remulla said he admonished Tau Gamma spokesman Martin Asturias for not answering a journalist who asked what actions the fraternity would take against the suspects.

Asturias said the Tau Gamma usually provides lawyers to members who cannot afford to hire a counsel, noting that sanctions depend on the court.

Remulla told Asturias to answer the question, stressing that the suspects are being accused of criminal conspiracy and actions.

“Will you expel these members?” he asked Asturias, who aswered that the fraternity would conduct expulsion proceedings against its members implicated in Alcedo’s death.