Task Force Marcos holding photos of suspects in fatal hazing

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines  - The police Special Investigation Task Force Marcos is now holding photographs of some Lex Leonum fraternity members suspected of involvement in the fatal hazing of San Beda law student Marc Andre Marcos.

Calabarzon police director Chief Superintendent James Melad said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 4A headed by Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba had secured the photographs of the suspects that were named in the anonymous letter that tagged several San Beda students, some alumni and others in the fatal hazing of Marcos last July 21 in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

Melad said they would show the photographs to the two neophytes, Ryan Christopher Maranan and Ephraim Daniel Lara.

The two are freshmen law students of San Beda College who appeared before the Cavite police and gave their sworn statements that they were among the 24 neophytes who underwent initiation with Marcos.

They had identified Gian Angelo Veluz as among the five master initiators and their “handler.”

Veluz’s family owns the 12-hectare farm in Sitio Bisaya, Dasmariñas, Cavite where the initiation rites were conducted.

“We will show a copy to Maranan and Lara soon so that they could identify them,” Melad said.

Melad revealed there were at least 30 people listed in the anonymous letter. He said at least 16 fraternity members in the letter allegedly participated in the initiation and only six to eight of them are students of the San Beda College in Alabang.

“We are also trying to convince the two victims (Maranan and Lara) to file a complaint, and to witnesses including those involved in the incident, this is the time for you to come out to help in the investigation,” Melad said.

Melad said a police team was sent to track down Veluz after he failed to surrender last Friday.

“We’re only just awaiting an arrest warrant from the court before a manhunt operation can be launched against the suspects,” Melad said.

Balba, for his part, confirmed his men had secured photographs of Leo Leonum fraternity members who participated in the hazing.

“We will set a day for a meeting with the two victims (Maranan and Lara) to identify several photos,” Balba said.

Balba though admitted they are not sure if Maranan and Lara could identify the fraternity members since they were blindfolded during the initiation rites.

“We want to make stronger the Marcos case and we are still locating more witnesses, evidence,” Balba said. 

Veluz, tagged as the key suspect, failed to surrender last Friday and remains at large.

Melad said the Cavite police are set to file the amended information on the hazing case to include the injuries sustained by eight other neophytes.

He said they are working hard to ensure an airtight case against Marcos’ assailants, particularly Veluz and his two maids and other fraternity members.