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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NBI to probe case of 'hazing victim' in Cebu

NBI to probe case of 'hazing victim' in Cebu

Published Mar 3, 2023 06:04 am
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also been directed to probe the Dec. 19, 2022 death of University of Cebu’s marine engineering student Ronnel M. Baguio who reportedly succumbed to injuries he suffered after undergoing hazing allegedly by members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity. Last January, Baguio’s mother appealed to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for legal assistance in the prosecution of those responsible for her son’s death. Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV on Friday, March 3, said the investigation on Baguio’s death was ordered by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla from Geneva, Switzerland where he is attending the session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Earlier, Remulla had also ordered the NBI to conduct a parallel probe on the death of Adamson University chemical engineering student John Matthew T. Salilig who also underwent hazing by members of the  Tau Gamma Phi fraternity. Six members of the fraternity have surrendered and anti-hazing charges have been filed against them before the DOJ.  The suspects opted for a preliminary investigation which will start on March 10. Named respondents in the complaints were Michael Lambert Ritalde, 31; Mark Edrosa, 39; and students Romero Earl Anthony, 21, Tung Cheng Teng Jr., 22, Jerome Balot, 22, and Sandro Victorino, 28. Clavano also said that the father of one of the suspects was also presented to the DOJ for inquest.  The father was accused of obstruction of justice. “Yung sa obstruction of justice there was no waiver of Article 125 meaning to say nag-proceed po yung inquest proceeding and submitted na po for resolution ‘yung kaso na ‘yun. So, we can expect yung sa obstruction of justice ay maglalabas na po ng resolution (For the obstruction of justice case, there was no waiver of Article 125 so the inquest proceeding pushed through and was submitted for resolution. So, we can expect the resolution for it within the day),” he said. In the case of Baguio, Clavano said: “Nakakuha po kami ng (We received) report and request for investigation and right away the secretary asked the NBI to conduct the investigation.” He said the probe will be conducted by the NBI’s regional office in Cebu. At the same time, Clavano said the DOJ has been discussing how to strengthen the Anti-Hazing Law since “meron pa ring nangyayaring mga ganitong klaseng senseless death (since there are still cases of these senseless deaths),” he said. “I’m sure the secretary (Remulla) will be very cooperative if ever they were to ask or request for opinion from the DOJ with regards to strengthening hopefully this Anti-Hazing Law ho natin,” he assured. Earlier, PAO announced that it had granted the request of the families of Salilig and Baguio for legal assistance. PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta said that her office is preparing the criminal complaint against an instructor of the University of Cebu who is also a member of the fraternity.  She did not identify the university instructor.
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