Frat leader implicated in fatal hazing nabbed

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested a fraternity leader who was implicated in the hazing death of a medical student of Far Eastern University in Laguna last year.

NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco said suspect Jessie Wilco Comia, 24, leader of the Sigma Mu fraternity composed of FEU medical students, was cornered in a squatters’ area in Pasig City last Monday.

He was arrested by NBI-National Capital Region operatives on the strength of a warrant issued by Calamba, Laguna Regional Trial Court Judge Romeo de Leon who recommended no bail.

Comia and 16 others were linked to the death of Rafael Root Albano III during hazing rites along with the fraternity’s other neophytes at the Villa Rosario Resort in Barangay Pansol, Calamba town on Aug. 4 last year.

After Albano’s death, his parents sought the help of the NBI who found sufficient evidence to file charges of violation of the anti-hazing law against the 17 suspects with the Calamba prosecutor’s office.

Ten of the suspects, who have pending warrants of arrest, were identified as Chester James de Castro, June Harris Marinas, Julius Jay Estacio, Edward Javier, Karl Fabellore, Julius Emmanuel, Junofel Esquivel, Jovito Rami Paz, Donato Aguilar and Dr. Victorino Manglia.