Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla on Friday, March 6, demanded the immediate surrender of 21 members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity linked to the fatal hazing of a freshman maritime student in Cavite.

The victim was identified as Mark Kenneth Alcedo, 19, a first year student at the Philippine Nautical and Technological College (PNTC) and a resident of Brgy. Langkaan 2, Dasmariñas City, Cavite. He died following initiation rites on March 1, according to police.

Nine of the personalities were identified as suspects while the rest are considered as persons of interest.

“Huwag niyo na hintayin ang PNP [Philippine National Police] ang makahanap sa inyo. It might get worse. Walang EJK dito ah pero mas maganda na na i-surrender na nila kasi hahabulin namin ang nang-abuso (Don’t wait for the PNP to find you. It might get worse. There will be no extrajudicial killings here, but it would be better if they surrender because we will go after those who committed the abuse),” Remulla said in a press conference.

Remulla said the death of Alcedo was “unacceptable” and thus, authorities “cannot play the blame game forever.”

“Someone has to take accountability kung anong nangyari. The Tau Gamma Phi is a one-million strong organization and one way or another, they should be able to find their own and turn them over to us. This will not go unpunished. Tutuluyan namin ito at hahanapin namin lahat iyan (We will pursue this and find every one of them),” he promised.

The suspects will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law, which strictly prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools and communities.

It imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment for fatal hazing, and holds school officials and organization members liable for participation or negligence.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity vowed to cooperate with local authorities to find the suspects and turn them over to the police.

“We strongly condemn the event that happened last March 1. We also would like to offer our sympathy and condolences to the family who is right now experiencing difficult time. As we have spoken with Secretary Remulla earlier, we do advise or we ask those that are involved to if ever surrender or go to the nearest police station, and surrender yourselves,” said Tau Gamma Phi spokesperson Martin Asturias.

The fraternity also issued a manifesto reiterating its “firm and unequivocal position” that hazing, in any form, “is strictly prohibited and has no place in our organization.”

However, Remulla insisted that such declaration against violence would not shield the organization's leaders from potential legal repercussions.

“A mere declaration that they are against it does not insulate them from charges. If there is culpable connectivity between the senior organization of condoning such violence, then there will be liabilities,” he said.

According to the Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO), the suspects’ age ranges from 18 to 19.

“Most of them are students,” said Police Col. Ariel Red, provincial director of the Cavite PPO.

Police said Alcedo was hazed in an open field in Barangay Langkaan. He was later brought by three individuals to a hospital in General Trias, Cavite, claiming that he was a victim of a hit-and-run.

He later died at the hospital and an autopsy showed that he suffered from severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities, with other injuries including a tooth fracture and wounds to the abdomen, fingers, knees, and toes. Chili seeds were also found on his private parts, police noted.

One of the three individuals who brought him to the hospital, the driver of a Mitsubishi Mirage caught in a security footage, surrendered to police on March 3 and gave an affidavit that revealed the names of those involved. He was later released by the police.

The Tau Gamma Phi fraternity said they have not contacted the suspects yet but they were communicating with the alumni from the chapter where the hazing case occurred for information.

Asturias said the members of the Tau Gamma Phi involved in the case will be subjected to expulsion proceedings to have them removed from the fraternity.

“We’ve given our word that we will cooperate with local authorities and the DILG to get this resolved. We gave our word so we will keep it,” he stated.