Makati hazing victim’s body found in Laguna

The body of a University of Makati student who allegedly died during hazing rites was found dumped in a ravine in Laguna province, police said Friday. Laguna provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said the body of Karl Intia, 19, was found Sunday afternoon near a 30-foot-deep ravine in Sta. Maria town. “May nag-report sa kapulisan natin na jumi-jingle siya at may nakitang body sa bangin noong 15th, 5:50 p.m. Noong nakita agad ni-report sa pulis (A man reported to police last Sunday that he saw the body while he was urinating near a ravine)," Cruz said in an interview on dzBB radio. Cruz said the victim’s body – about 5’5" tall and slightly chubby – bore injuries indicating he was hit with a paddle, likely from hazing rites. When asked if the injuries – many on the knee area – could have come from hazing, Cruz said, “most likely." “Most likely talagang pinaddle ito hanggang kulay talong (Most likely he was hit with a paddle such that the knee area turned purple)," he said. The body of Carl, who was reported missing since last weekend, was brought to a funeral parlor in Famy town in Laguna, where his father Oscar positively identified it. A separate report on dwIZ said the elder Intia was too enraged and challenged Vice President Jejomar Binay to ensure justice for his son. The vice president is a member of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity that Carl was reportedly seeking membership in. Carl was a working student, taking a vocational course at the University of Makati while working at a fast-food restaurant. A team of police investigators from Makati City proceeded to the funeral parlor to coordinate with their counterparts in Laguna. Makati police earlier started an investigation into the death of Intia, who, according to sketchy initial reports, had died during initiation rites of the APO fraternity. Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio, Makati City police director, said they could not immediately disclose all the details about the incident because information has been “arriving to us in trickles." Initial reports reaching Bonifacio said about 15 to 20 students were allegedly involved in the initiation rites. Bonifacio said he already dispatched investigators to look into the reports, as he inhibited himself from the case, being an APO alumnus himself. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr. said his father, the vice president, has condemned the fatal hazing incident. Hazing in Makati? A dwIZ report said Makati police are verifying information that the hazing may have taken place last weekend in San Antonio Village in Makati City. Police are also verifying information Carl had tried to back out of the initiation rites because of the pain, but his requests went unheeded. Carl had been missing since Saturday, telling his parents he was attending a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) meeting. His parents learned of Carl’s hazing through Internet and radio reports late Thursday, but had initially refused to believe he had died. — LBG, GMANews.TV