Charges filed vs 20 Benilde hazing suspects
CHARGED. Aurelio Servando, father of Guillo Cesar Servando, files criminal charges against 20 suspects behind the recent hazing incident that killed his son. Photo by Jose Del/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Almost two weeks after the hazing incident that killed a De La Salle-College of St Benilde student and injured 3 others, authorities on Friday, July 11, filed charges against suspects from the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Makati City police filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal charges against 20 suspects for violating the Anti-Hazing Law:
- Cody Errol Morales
- Daniel Paul Martin Bautista (aka "Pope")
- Kurt Michael Almazan
- Luis Solomon Arevalo (aka "Louie")
- Carl Francis Loresca
- Esmerson Nathaniel Calupas (aka "Emeng")
- Hans Killian Tatlonghari (aka "Hans Tamaring," alias "Hans Tumaneng")
- Eleazar III Pablico (aka "Trex")
- John Kevin Navoa
- Jemar Pajarito
- Vic Angelo Dy
- Mark Andrew Ramos
- Michael David Castañeda
- Steven Jorge Peñano (alias “Penny”)
- Ma. Teresa Dayanghirang
- Alyssa Federique Valbuena
- Justin Francis Reyes (alias “Jay Ray”, “Ray Jay”)
- "Kiko"
- “Bea"
- Jane Doe
The Anti-Hazing Law or Republic Act 8049 states "that no physical violence be employed by anybody" during initiation rites. It imposes a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if the hazing resulted to death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation.
The police and NBI are acting on a complaint by Aurelio Servando, the father of DLS-CSB student Guillo Cesar Servando who died after the June 28 initiation rites by Tau Gamma Phi.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) also revealed on Friday that aside from John Kevin Navoa who had left for the United States, 3 more suspects fled the country before formal complaints were even filed.
Lookout bulletin issued
Members of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity are believed to be responsible for the hazing ritual that killed Servando and injured 3 other students. (READ: Aquino condemns hazing: It 'escapes any logic')
Servando, John Paul Raval, Lorenze Agustin, and a 17-year-old male student were brought to a boarding house in Makati City for the initiation rites. After the initiation, they were brought back to One Archer’s Place along Taft Avenue in Manila.
From there, the students called Patrol 117 for help. They were rushed to the Philippine General Hospital, but Servando was pronounced dead on arrival.
DRAGGED. This CCTV footage shows Guillo Cesar Servando being dragged along the corridors of a condominium in Manila. File photo by Jose Del/Rappler
Raval, Agustin, and 3 suspects who surrendered (Luis Solomon Arevalo, Kurt Michael Almazan, and Jemar Pajarito) were cited as witnesses.
The elder Servando said he's glad cases were immediately filed against the suspects.
"Malaking tinik ang nakuha sa atin. Mabilis ang takbo ng imbestigasyon ng NBI at PNP...Pagkatapos ng pag-file at least, pwede na ako siguro mag-take it easy for a while until the fiscal comes up with a decision of the case," he added.
(A great thorn in me was removed. The investigation by the NBI and PNP is moving swiftly. After this filing, at least I can already take it easy for a while until the fiscal comes up with a decision of the case.)
About 17 of the suspects are on the watch list of the BI after the DOJ issued an immigration lookout bulletin order on Thursday, July 10.
Since the incident was revealed two weeks ago, several groups have called for the review of the Anti-Hazing Law. Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian, however, wants to repeal the 1995 law as he filed House Bill 4714 – the “Servando Act” – that seeks to ban hazing in and out of schools.
There were also proposals for schools, colleges, and universities to start recognizing fraternities and sororities to prevent them from going underground. – Rappler.com
