“Victims” not likely to sue two fratmenin hazing fall

CEBU, Philippines - Two men were arrested after they were caught in the act of hazing two persons in Barangay Pardo yesterday morning.

Hazing victims Maricel Secuya, 30, and Buenaventura Badayos, 25, were rescued from suspects Stephen Ocampo, 30, and Rommel Ybañez, 22, who were caught in the act of hitting the victims with a paddle, said SPO3 Joel Wenceslao of the Pardo Police Station.

Wenceslao said that around 8:30 a.m. yesterday, they received a call from the suspect’s neighbor about the ongoing initiation.

“Naa daw nag-paddle sa iyang silingan. Mabati niya ang lagapak sa paddle ug ang pagsyagit sa mga gibunalan,” said Wenceslao.

Policemen acted on the report and around 10 minutes later, they arrived at Ocampo’s house where the hazing was carried out. Ocampo claimed to be a president of the Alpha Kappa Rho.

“Og didto sa sulod naaktuhan gyud namo nag-syagit pa ang gibunalan,” Wenceslao further disclosed.

The policeman said they were only able to arrest Ocampo and Ybañez since others who attended the initiation rites ran off upon the arrival of the police. The four were residents of the same area.

Secuya and Badayos, who sustained bruises in their buttocks, were sent to the hospital while the suspects were detained.  Wenceslao said they advised the victims to secure a medical certificate in the filing of charges against those arrested.

“Pero I doubt lagi kung mokiha ba nga ila man daw tong kagustohan. Wa man daw sila pugsa ato,” the policeman said.

Should the victims decide not to pursue charges, Wenceslao said the Pardo Police will serve as the complainant and file charges for violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law against the suspects.

Ocampo did not deny the accusation, saying that he is chapter president of the Sigma Tau Alpha Kappa Rho and that he does not force anyone to join their fraternity.

Wenceslao said the incident was the first of its kind that they have responded to so far.

He clarified that fraternities are not prevalent in their jurisdiction and even notorious gangs such as Crips and Bloods have lay low lately.

“Ingon ko ‘dong, kanang inyong grupo, pride ra man ‘na. Naghatag lang mo og disturbo sa publiko.’ Lahi na man gud ang mga fraternity ‘ron kaysa sa una. Karon ang mga pang-recruit-on mga tambay, mga uneducated maong dali kakita og away,” the policeman said. — -/BRP (FREEMAN)