A Grade 10 male student in San Enrique town, Negros Occidental died Thursday, September 9, few days after he celebrated his 18th birthday allegedly due to injuries he sustained from a fraternity initiation rites.
Authorities withheld the name of the victim pending the result of investigation.
Police Lieutenant Sammy Gasataya, deputy chief of the town police station, said the victim is a resident of Barangay Guintorilan and a student of Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School in La Carlota City.
Gasataya said that on September 3, the three persons of interests whose names the police also withheld attended the victim’s birthday and left.
The victim followed them and returned home about 1 a.m. the following day.
His mother noticed that he was not feeling well, was already limping and could not properly walk that time, Gasataya said.
Gastaya added that on September 8, the victim was asking for medicines as he was shivering and was not feeling well.
His condition worsened and he died the following day.
The police official said that before the victim died he told his parents that he was blindfolded and was brought to an undisclosed area where the alleged hazing happened.
The victim also told his parents that he was supposed to be admitted by the fraternity in March this year.
However, it was found out that he was only 17 years old during the pre-initiation interview.
A post-mortem examination was performed on Miranda's remains.
Based on the autopsy report made by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Fritzi Juanillo, the victim suffered hematoma on both of his lower buttocks.
He also has suffered bleeding on the kidney, the report further showed.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, meanwhile, said they have already talked with the victim's parents.
She said they are currently looking closely to the details of the incident.
Donasco also said that the hazing incident took place around 10 p.m. so they are currently investigating how the suspects executed the incident as it was already curfew hours.
She further added that such incidents that might involve minors or adults will not be tolerated.
Police are now preparing charges involving Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law against the three people who are believed to be involved in the alleged hazing.
Moreover, the police are reminding parents as well as school administrators and principals to be wary about the existence of fraternities that may endanger students.
Gasataya, though, clarified that the alleged hazing incident has nothing to do with his school.
It happened outside the school considering that there's no face-to-face classes yet, he told SunStar Bacolod. (TDE)