Doctor of hazing 'victim' shows up at NBI

The hospital doctor who attended to alleged hazing victim Cris Anthony Mendez appeared Wednesday before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while the father of a fraternity member implicated in the death sent his lawyer to speak with probers. Doctor Daphne Gascon of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) arrived at the NBI headquarters along Taft Avenue in Manila City accompanied by her lawyer. Gascon responded to an NBI subpoena in connection with the death of Mendez, a 20-year-old graduating public administration student. QTV television's Balitanghali said Gascon will be asked why she was not able to affix her signature on Mendez's death certificate. Gascon will also be questioned regarding the cause of the victim’s death. The autopsy report of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) showed that Mendez suffered 10 large hematomas to his body. Mendez was taken to the VMMC last August 27, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. An on duty security guard attested that Mendez was brought by a group of men and Dr Francisco Cruz, the father of a Sigma Rho fraternity member. While Cruz assured the QCPD that he would soon surface to assist in the investigation, he sent his lawyer Rafael Armovit to the NBI. Cruz is the assistant chief of the VMMC ophthalmology department. Armovit assured the investigators that his client will not go into hiding and will issue an official statement before this week ends. For its part, the NBI expressed hopes that Cruz himself will go to the bureau office today (Wednesday). Investigators are also waiting for the arrival of other subjects of their subpoena. The television report said the NBI is now preparing to issue subpoena against Sigma Rho Grand Archon Raul Grapilon. The UP administration has slapped 30-day preventive suspension orders on Grapilon and fellow Sigma Rho officers Ronald Chua, Andew dela Rosa and Armand Sapitan. "We wish to assure the Mendez family and the general public that the University is doing its best to ensure that those responsible for his death are made to face the bar of law," the UP administration said in a statement. - GMANews.TV