DAVAO CITY –— The University of Mindanao suspended four of its students who were figured in a fatal death of a student who underwent the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity initiation on September 18.
During the initiation rites at an abandoned house in Purok Sto Niño, Sison Village, Barangay Upper Mandug, Buhangin, district this city, 19-year-old August Ceazar Saplot died.
While one of the neophyte survived and is still confined at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
In a statement released by the University Monday, September 26 it said “As per the latest update there are 14 students involved as perpetrators and two others as victims (one died and another injured). All of them are either currently enrolled or former students of the University of Mindanao.”
However, the press statement elaborated that of the 14, two graduated already from Criminology program and of the remaining twelve (12) nine were arrested and three others are still at large and whose enrollment status are not yet verified.
On Monday, students from different colleges gathered together to condemn the hazing incident saying it must be stopped now.
The same statement said that of the remaining nine (9), four are enrolled and they come from the colleges of Criminology, Management Accounting and Hospitality Management Programs while the other five are not enrolled in the university but either school drop-outs of has transferred to other schools.
The university claimed they fully support the lawful prohibition and other acts of physical harm and violence in fraternity and sorority rites and even in ROTC for military training as they call on the public and the community at large – most especially the parents and the studentry – to help them curb this archaic and violent practice.
Philippine National Police Regional Office XI spokesperson Atty. Eudusan Gutiano, PRO XI spokesperson, said they already filed charges for violation Republic Act 8049 or the of Anti-Hazing law against the following:
- Jeremiah Obedencia Moya
- Leji Wensdy Ofecio Quibuyen
- John Lloyd Garciano Sumagang
- Harold Joshua Sagaral Flauta
- John Steven Baltazar Silvosa
- Ramel John Potenciano Gamo
- Gilbert Escodero Asoy Jr.
- Roseller Andres Gaentano
The university fully supports the lawful prohibition and other acts of physical harm and violence in fraternity and sorority rites and even in ROTC for military training.
They also called on the public and the community at large “Most especially the parents and the studentry – to help us curb this archaic and violent practice.”
