1 arrested in sorority hazing

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged member of a sorority was arrested Jan. 11 after a student complained that she suffered injuries as a result of initiation rites in Barangay CAA, Las Piñas City, police said yesterday.  

University of Perpetual Help student Marlyn Alagbate was accused by fellow student Pauline Santos of allegedly recruiting her into the Tau Gamma Sigma sorority, according to Senior Police Officer 1 Warren Vicente.

Santos also accused four other alleged sorority members – Lhen Gracias, Marie Buenavente, Lala Murase and Angie Magsael – of recruiting her.

According to a police report, the group allegedly met in front of the school and proceeded to a house in Barangay CAA on Jan. 10.

While in the house, the five women reportedly began the initiation rite by repeatedly hitting Santos with a paddle.

“The victim backed out and begged the suspects to stop paddling her but they continued” to do so, the report stated.

Santos was in pain and unable to go home by herself, so the women reportedly accompanied her to a tricycle terminal and left her there, the report stated.

Santos and her parents reported the incident to the Las Piñas police officers, who apprehended Alagbate at her house in Bacoor, Cavite.

Alagbate will be charged with violating Republic Act 8049, the anti-hazing law, before the city prosecutor’s office, Vicente said.