Wednesday, September 26, 2007 (Philippines)

CLASSMATES OF REN ATILLO, 13 and a grade six pupil at the Pardo Elementary School in Cebu City who died Monday night, visit his wake. There’s a dispute on the cause of his death. His father Renato suspects Ren died of fraternity violence. Ren’s grandmother says her grandson died of dengue, a stand supported by the city schools superintendent. (Sun.Star Photo/Alex Badayos) A 13-YEAR-OLD grade six pupil died at 12:15 a.m. yesterday, raising speculations that he was a victim of hazing rites. Ren Atillo of Barangay Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City died days after suffering from fever and chest pains. Ren did not make it alive at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) when his father and grandmother rushed him there past 11 p.m. Monday. Carlito P. Tinga, customer service supervisor of St. Francis Funeral Homes, said the boy died of sepsis and pneumonia. [full story]