5 frat members arrested, 3 neophytes rescued in Cavite

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police arrested last Thursday five members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity and rescued three neophytes undergoing initiation rites held by a river in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

Investigators said the police station desk officer received information from concerned residents that a group of men, mostly teenagers and out-of-school youths, were conducting hazing rites, prompting the law enforcers to raid the site.

Those arrested were identified as Raymark Bolante, 24, tagged as initiation master; Jeric Locanas, 19; Elizander Allan Dejano, 19; Mark Antinjuedra, 23 and Jerome Contemprato, 18, all members of Tau Gamma Phi.

Police Officer 1 Benjamin Villanueva, officer on case, said charges of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law were filed against them before the Cavite Prosecutor’s Office. 

Villanueva said the three rescued neophytes – Jan Handrick Garcia, 17; Felix Sabio, 19 and Jhon-Jhon Santos, 20 – were brought to the General Aguinaldo Hospital after responding police officers stopped the hazing rites.

The neophytes sustained injuries in various parts of their bodies and are now out of danger.

Villanueva said the hazing rites were held at around 4 p.m. at the riverside near the Las Paz Homes subdivision in Trece Martires City.

Villanueva said police officers caught two of the suspects holding two wooden paddles marked TGP 1 and TGP 2.