Another hazing victim seeks DOJ help

MANILA, Philippines - Another victim of the alleged initiation rites by the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity, wherein San Beda College of Law freshman Marvin Reglos was killed, went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima personally met the new witness and immediately placed him under the witness protection program. De Lima said it was the student’s mother who sought their help.

“He told us he is willing to cooperate in the investigation. He said he was present during the alleged hazing and he will execute an affidavit to identify those involved,” the DOJ chief told reporters.

She said the new witness also revealed that a third victim of the hazing was in critical condition.

She did not identify the new witness pending the execution of his affidavit. An ABS-CBN report, however, earlier reported that police investigators identified the two as San Beda law students Jan Darrel Iringan and Omar Suhibil.

De Lima earlier said that Reglos’s cousin, Ed Agustin, claimed there were two other victims who suffered serious injuries in the alleged hazing, one of whom is reportedly in critical condition.

She has already tapped the National Bureau of Investigation Death Investigation Division to conduct a probe separate from that of police.