Frat recruit dead, 1 hurt in hazing

Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna – A 22-year-old fraternity neophyte was killed while his friend sustained serious injuries in hazing rites in Naic, Cavite Saturday night, police said. 

Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas, Cavite police director, identified the fatality as Ardin Velasco, a resident of Barangay Molino, and his injured friend as Mamije Oliver, 24.

Police arrested Erickson Arahan, 24, alleged president of the Cavite Varsi­tarian fraternity, and launched a manhunt for the other frat members for questioning. 

Police said Arahan was arrested after the parents of Velasco and Oliver filed complaints with the ba­rangay upon discovering their children’s ordeal in the hands of the frat members. 

Witnesses said Velasco and Oliver, together with 15 other recruits, underwent hazing in Barangay Labac, Naic town at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Unfortunately, after receiving several paddle hits, Velasco and Oliver had difficulty breathing and subsequently lost consciousness, prompting the frat members to rush them to the nearest hospital.