APO hazing victim's body recovered in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines – Police in Laguna province identified yesterday the body they retrieved from a ravine in Sta. Maria town last Sunday as a 19-year-old college freshman who reportedly died in a fraternity hazing rites.

In a phone interview, Laguna police director Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, said the body of EJ Karl Intia, a student of the University of Makati, was found by a barangay councilman at a ravine 30 meters deep at Kilometer 99 of Marcos Highway in Barangay Laurel Sunday afternoon.

He said the victim’s father, Oscar Intia, identified his son at a funeral parlor in Barangay Banting, Famy, Laguna.

Cruz said the victim was last seen by his family Saturday and he was later reported missing. He said the victim reportedly died after going through the initiation rites of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity Saturday.

Four APO members aged between 17 and 20 years voluntarily surrendered to the Makati police Thursday night. Their names were withheld by the police, who said around 15 to 20 persons were involved in the initiation rite.

He said Intia’s legs bore bruises when his body was found. Police reported that they found hematoma and traces of candle wax on the backs of his thighs and contusions on different parts of his body. Police said officials and several members of APO will be summoned to shed light on Intia’s death.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, a member of APO, condemned yesterday the hazing that led to Intia’s death. He also extended his condolen­ces to Intia’s family. – With Pia Lee-Brago