16 APO members charged for hazing death

MANILA, Philippines - Sixteen members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, including five who earlier surrendered to the Makati police, were charged yesterday before the Makati prosecutors office for the death of a University of Makati student during a hazing of the APO last week.

Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio, chief of the Makati City police, identified five of the 16 fraternity members who were charged with violation of Republic Act 8049 or the anti-hazing law, as Reynald Marin and Michael Pagulayan, both 19 years old; Roesel Wenceslao, 18; all students of UMAK and Rico Mansalapus, 31; an alumni of UMAK.

Bonifacio withheld the name of the fifth suspect because he is only 17 years old.

He said the fifth suspect will be turned over to the city’s social welfare office. The 11 other suspects, whose names were not revealed by the police, are still at large and a subject of police manhunt.

RA 8049 states that officers and members of the fraternity “who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals.”

Bonifacio said with the formal charges in place, they are waiting for the court to issue warrants of arrest against the 11 other APO members who are still at large. He said the five APO members, presently at the custody of the Makati police, have issued sworn affidavit admitting that they were present when EJ Karl Intia, 19, was allegedly subjected to hazing that started at 2 p.m. and ended at around 6 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Pagulayan told police that he was the master initiator of APO during the initiation rites that took place at the house of fellow fratman, Mansalapus at Mayapis street corner Catmon street in Barangay San Antonio, Makati.

Intia’s body was retrieved from a 30-meter deep ravine along Kilometer 99, Marcos Highway in Barangay Laurel, Sta. Maria, Laguna on Aug. 15.

– With Ed Amoroso