THE University of Mindanao (UM) in Davao City suspends four students who were involved in the hazing and death of 19-year-old August Ceazar Saplot.
In a public statement released on September 26, UM confirmed that the four of those involved in the hazing incident were currently enrolled in Criminology, Management Accounting, Nursing, and Hospitality Management programs of the university.
“The University President has caused for the suspension of the four students... to disabuse any hint of leniency or prevent them from coming to school while the disciplinary investigation is going on,” UM said.
Based on the police’s investigation, there were 14 suspects involved in Saplot’s death. Of the 14, UM said two were graduates from the Criminology program and five were former students who either dropped out of UM or transferred to another school.
The enrollment status of the remaining suspects is still being verified by the university.
“Because they are former students of UM, despite the fact that the hazing activity was done outside the school, the name of the university is dragged, disrespected, and derided,” UM said.
In solidarity with the incident, UM students and employees held a mass Prayer Walk Against Hazing at the campus on September 26 where they called for the abolition of hazing.
“The university fully supports the lawful prohibition of hazing and other acts of physical harm and violence in fraternity and sorority rites and even in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC),” UM said.
As of September 23, eight suspects were already detained and are facing charges for violating Republic Act 8049 “An act regulating hazing and other forms of initiation rites in fraternities, sororities, and other organizations and providing penalties therefor.”
Spokesperson of Police Regional Office in Davao (PRO-Davao) Police Major lawyer Eudisan Gultiano said six suspects are still at large.
All were affiliated with the fraternity Alpha Kappa Rho (Akhro) Alpha Delta Chapter where Saplot was a pledgee.
The hazing incident also resulted in an 18-year-old pledgee, being seriously injured. ICM