16 charged for deadly hazing in Makati

At least 16 people were charged Monday for the fatal hazing of University of Makati student E.J. Karl Intia earlier this month, but 11 of them remain at large. Makati police charged the suspects before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law. City police chief Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio noted five of the suspects were members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity who earlier surrendered to authorities. Four of those who surrendered voluntarily were identified as John Reynald Marin and Michael Pagulayan, both 19; Roesel Wenceslao, 18, all students of University of Makati; and Rico Mansalapus, 31, an alumnus of the university. The fifth is a 17-year-old minor and will be turned over to the city’s social welfare office. "Section 14a [of the anti-hazing] imposes a penalty of reclusion perpetua in case of death as a result of the hazing. The law also specifies that officers and members of the fraternity 'who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals,'" the Makati City Web portal said. Bonifacio said with the formal charges, the police will just wait for the court to issue warrants of arrest for the 11 suspects still at large. He withheld their names pending their arrest. Citing their sworn affidavits, police said the five suspects admitted they were present when Intia, 19, was allegedly subjected to hazing that started at 2 p.m. and ended at around 6 p.m. last August 14. Pagulayan admitted he was the master initiator of APO during the initiation rites that took place at the house of fellow fratman, Rico Mansalapus at Mayapis corner Catmon Streets in San Antonio village in Makati. Intia’s body was retrieved from a 30-meter deep ravine along Km 99, Marcos Highway, Brgy. Laurel, Sta. Maria, Laguna last August 15. He was identified by his father, who last saw him on the morning of August 14, in a funeral home in Laguna on August 20. "Intia sustained major bruises on his legs commonly seen in fraternity neophytes who had undergone paddling during initiation rites. The autopsy revealed that the victim died from traumatic injuries to the head and lower extremities," the Makati Web portal said. Earlier, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. vowed to help bring justice to the parents of the hazing victim and condemned the inhuman and violent act. The Binays will also shoulder the funeral expenses of Intia after they personally expressed their condolences to the family of the hazing victim last Saturday. — LBG, GMANews.TV