NOT only five but 10 members of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity conducted the initiation rites that resulted in the death of a sophomore marine engineering student of University of Cebu-Maritime Education and Training Center (UC-METC) in Cebu City, police said.
This new development was disclosed to reporters on Friday, March 10, 2023, a day after four of the suspects believed to be responsible for the death of Ronnel Masamoc Baguio surrendered to the Mambaling Police Station of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
A new witness has testified that not less than 10 people took turns in paddling three new recruits, including Baguio who died on Dec. 19, 2022 after being subjected to hazing on Dec. 10, according to Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, head of the CCPO’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch.
Six of the suspects, including those who surrendered, have already been identified by the police. They have the ranks of Grand Triskelion, deputy Triskelion and Master Initiator.
Macatangay said that although they already know who the suspects are, they will not press charges against them since they are still gathering more pieces of evidence in coordination with the Public Attorney’s Office.
The police official said there were actually three persons subjected to the Tau Gamma hazing, contrary to initial claims that there were only two. One of the recruits agreed to testify in court.
Macatangay said that although the UC instructor who allegedly recruited Baguio is still a person of interest, he may still face charges if it is established that he was involved in the hazing.
The CCPO is trying to form an Inter-Fraternity and Sorority Council (IFSC) that will oversee the initiation activity of every organization to prevent the incident from happening again.
The IFSC will be held accountable if anyone is found violating the anti-hazing law. (AYB / TPT)