A 25-YEAR-OLD graduating criminology student has died in a hazing incident in Quezon City.Quezon City Police District spokesperson Lt. Col. May Genio confirmed the death of Ahldryn Leary Bravante and said four suspects are now in custody.
They will face complaints for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, said Genio.
She said Bravante underwent initiation rites in a building in Quezon City starting at noon on Monday.
In the afternoon of the same day, Bravante told his companions that he was finding it hard to breathe. He was brought to the Chinese General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Genio said Bravante had hematoma on his legs and cigarette burn marks on his body. It was also the hospital that called the police about his death, she said.
She said the two suspects who brought Bravante to the hospital were then placed under custody, and two other suspects later surrendered to police.
The four suspects were identified in reports as Justine Artates, 20, Kyle Michael de Castro, 21, Lexer Angelo Manarpies, 20, and Mark Leo Andales, 20.
Two of them told police that they were members of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity-Philippine College of Criminology Chapter. Bravante was a neophyte who was subjected to initiation rites.
Members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity were also involved in the alleged hazing death of Adamson student John Matthew Salilig earlier this year.
The Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) mourned Bravante’s death and condemned the hazing activity.
“PCCR does not recognize any student organization that promotes a culture of violence contradictory to the school’s values and we strongly condemn this heinous act,” it said.
It also said it is investigating the incident and providing assistance to Bravante’s family.
metrosundaily
