37 more charged in law student's hazing death

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines  – Nine neophytes and 26 members of the Lex Leonum Fraternitas, along with a couple, were charged yesterday with violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law for the death of San Beda law student Marc Andrei Marcos.

Chief Superintendent James Melad, Calabarzon police director, identified the neophytes as Manuel Adrian Cabansag, Enrico Pizaras Lopez, Daniel Almuete Baltazar, Jan Marcel Valendo Ragaza, John Ray Rivera, Jason Marquez Esquerra, Reynaldo Dalisay, Christian Ryan Maranan, and Ephrain Daniel Lara.

Also named in the charge sheet were Angelito Veluz and wife Violeta, parents of fraternity member Gian Angelo Veluz and owners of the farm in Dasmariñas, Cavite where the hazing rites were conducted last month.

Also charged were Marcelo Cornelio, Mohammad Fyzee Alim, and 26 members of Lex Leonum Fraternitas.

Melad said Marcos’ father Mac Ferdie, along with legal counsel Marimeir Marcos-Rivera and Senior Superintendent John Bulalacao, Cavite police director and Task Force Marcos head, formally filed the amended complaint before the Dasmariñas prosecutor’s office yesterday.

Melad said the nine neophytes, including Maranan and Lara, were included in the complaint as they failed to cooperate in the police investigation into the death of Marcos, a fresh law student of San Beda College-Alabang.

Melad said the Marcos family decided to include Maranan and Lara in the case even if the two have decided to file charges against the leaders of the fraternity and even gave sworn statements.

Melad said the Veluz couple was indicted since their son contacted them during the initiation rites in their farm.

“They knew that their son along with the neophytes and fraternity members were there,” Melad told The STAR.

He said Task Force Marcos earlier had filed charges of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law against the young Veluz, tagged as handler of Maranan and Lara, as well as Soledad Sanda and farm house helper Marlen Guadayo.

Melad called on those involved in the case and are still in hiding to give themselves up to police authorities.

He said an intelligence team has been formed to track down the suspects once they are formally charged in court.