San Beda kicks out 27 fratmen over hazing death

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda College has approved the “exclusion” of 27 members of the Lex Leonum fraternity over the hazing incident that allegedly killed first year law student Marc Andrei Marcos in July.

The school said this penalty means the 27 students will be allowed to finish the semester, which starts this month, but is barred from re-enrolling afterwards. These students are Erich Justine Alano, Julius Arsenio Alcancia, Mohammad Fyzee Alim, Chino Daniel Amante, Daniel Baltazar, Rem Cabangon, Manuel Adrian Cabansag, Dexter Circa, Aldrian Robert David, Aardan Mikhail Kutch dela Cruz, Jason Esguerra, Bjone Carlo Favorito, Ralph Juico, Levy John Lalusis, Cornelio Marcelo, Michael Jethro Opelanio, Kenneth Rafols, John Cromwell Recto, Lorenzo Marvin Reyes, John Ray Rivera, Reynaldo Anthony Marc Rodriguez, Richard Rosales, Vyron Samson, Emmanuel Jefferson Santiago, Idony Tan, Jenno Antonio Villanueva, and Aloysius Yebra.

In a 14-page recommendation issued on Oct. 23 by the college’s committee on student conduct, the school also imposed a 21-day suspension and a 72-hour community service on David Anthony Aranas, Rom-Raison Go and Eryl Royce Nagtalon.

It also suspended Reynaldo Dalisay Jr., Ephraim Daniel Lara, Enrico Lopez, Christopher Ryan Maranan, and Jan Marcel Ragaza for seven days and ordered them to do 36 hours of community service.

The committee cleared Jade Ashley Manguera.

The recommendation was signed by chairperson Risel Castillo-Taleon and members Adonis Gabriel, Eireen Xina Acosta, Fr. Rembert Tumbali, Ian Michel Geonanga and Aubin Arn Nieva.

The committee also warned the students who were suspended that “they are under probation for the rest of their stay in San Beda.”

The committee, following several hearings, found that “Lex Leonum employed violence in its initiation activities.” This finding was confirmed by five of the respondents, who admitted they were neophytes along with Marcos. They were identified as Marcelo, Cabansag, Ragaza, Lara and Maranan.

Marcos’ death follows that of another San Beda law freshman, Marvin Reglos, who died allegedly in fraternity initiation rites done by the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity officials and members in February.