CAVITE – The primary suspect in the alleged hazing incident that led to the death of a 19-year-old maritime student, who had been dropped off at a hospital in General Trias City, surrendered to the authorities evening on Tuesday, March 3.

A report from the Police Regional Office 4A stated that General Trias Mayor Jonjon Ferrer facilitated the surrender of alias John, a 23-year-old 4th year maritime student and member of Tau Gamma Phi.

Primary suspect in the alleged hazing incident that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old maritime student surrenders to the authorities on March 3 (Photo from Mayor Jonjon Ferrer/MANILA BULLETIN)

“Sa gitna po ng pagdadalamhati ng pamilya ng 19-anyos na hazing victim na si Kenneth Alcedo, sumuko sa ating tanggapan ang nagpakilalang suspek, na isa umano sa tatlong lalaking nakunan ng video na naghatid sa wala nang buhay na katawan sa GenTri Medical Center & Hospital (Amid the grief of the family of 19-year-old hazing victim Kenneth Alcedo, a man identifying himself as a suspect surrendered to authorities, who was allegedly one of the three men seen in a video who brought the victim’s lifeless body to the GenTri Medical Center and Hospital),” Ferrer wrote in a Facebook post.

The hazing incident reportedly took place in an open ground in Dasmariñas City, during an alleged initiation rite.

“Ayon sa inisyal na pahayag, inamin ng suspek na isa siya sa mga nanakit sa biktima at siya rin daw ang nagboluntaryong maghatid dito sa ospital (According to his initial statement, the suspect admitted that he was among those who inflicted harm on the victim and that he also volunteered to bring him to the hospital),” the mayor continued.

The suspect decided to surrender amid fears for his safety.

General Trias Component City Police Station Chief Lt. Col. Bismark S. Mendoza formally placed the suspect under arrest.

Ferrer said the suspect, and more or less 15 other persons involved, will face charges for violating the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.