Another suspect in the hazing incident that led to the death of Ahldryn Leary Bravante, a criminology student, has surrendered to the authorities on Wedesday, Oct. 18, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan confirmed.
The QCPD identified the suspect as John Xavier Clidoro Arcosa, 18, who is now under the custody the custody of the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit. He turned himself in to the police with the assistance of his parents.
According to the QCPD, the 25-year-old victim, a 4th year college student from the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR), was rushed to the Chinese General Hospital in Manila by two frat men on Monday, Oct, 16. He was unconscious and had sustained severe injuries.
Operatives of the Manila Police District went to the area after receiving a report about the incident at around 7 p.m. on Monday, and placed Bravante’s companions - Justine Artates Cantillo, 25, and Kyle Cordeta De Castro, 21 - under their custody after they revealed that the victim was brought to the hospital following an initiation right conducted by their fraternity.
The suspects said they were members of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity - PCCR Chapter and Bravante was a “neophyte” who underwent the brotherhood’s initiation rites.
The hazing occurred beside a condominium’s abandoned building on Calamba Street, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Quezon City at around 2 p.m. on the same day.
The victim had difficulty in breathing and fell unconscious after the initiation rites prompting the two men to bring him to the hospital where he was declared dead-on-arrival at around 6:40 p.m.
Police had earlier said that Bravante sustained hematoma on both legs and burned cigarette marks on his chest and both hands based on a cursory examination.
Cantillo and De Castro were brought to the QCPD for investigation while two other suspects, identified as Lexer Manarpies and Mark Leo Andales, both 20 years old and PCCR students, surrendered to authorities at around 1:10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Police said that Cantillo and Andales were considered as the group’s “Deputy Grand Triskelion,” while De Castro served as its treasurer, and Marapies as the “master initiator.”
They were charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 11053 (Anti-Hazing Act of 2018) , the QCPD said.
Charges for robbery were also filed against the suspects as personal belongings of the victim went missing after the incident.
Maranan said that De Castro and Cantillo executed an extrajudicial confession that they were part of the hazing incident that led to the death of the victim. They also revealed names and addresses of other members of the fraternity involved in the incident.
The police chief had earlier said that they have identified 11 other suspects involved in Bravante’s death.
A manhunt operation was launched by the QCPD to arrest the suspects.
He added that Bravante allegedly received more or less 60 paddle hits during the initiation rites.
Bravante’s wake is being held in Cavite.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday, Oct. 19, condemned the hazing incident and said she will coordinate with the QCPD in ensuring the arrest of the individuals behind the hazing to give justice to the victim.
“Once again, this incident demonstrates that hazing is a life-threatening practice that violates the principles of human dignity. Physical harm and violence through hazing and other initiation rites should be abhorred and condemned in accordance with RA 11054 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018,” the mayor said.
She also condoled with the victim’s family.
“Hindi dapat maging batayan ng katapatan at kapatiran ang pananakit sa kapwa na maaaring magdulot ng permanenteng pinsala o humantong sa kamatayan (Loyalty and brotherhood should not be based on harming others that can cause permanent damage or lead to death),” Belmonte said.
Read more: Criminology student dies from hazing injuries in QC, QCPD to file raps vs suspects in hazing death of criminology student