Lucena hazing suspect falls

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a suspect in the fatal hazing of a university student in Lucena, Quezon in 2008.   

Raniel Sarmiento, 32, was collared in Sampaloc, Manila on Tuesday, said Benjamin Magalong, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Sarmiento was among the 47 people suspected of involvement in the alleged initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity that led to the death of Chester Paulo Abracia, a freshman marine engineering student of Enverga University.

Magalong said the suspect was arrested based on a warrant issued by San Pablo Regional Trial Court Branch 30 Judge Amy Melba Belulia for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

He said another arrest warrant was issued by Judge Joselito Tamaray of the Municipal Trial Court Branch 2 in Lucena City for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

 Police records showed Abracia’s body, which bore multiple injuries, was found in Barangay Mate in Tayabas, Quezon.

Magalong said another suspect, Michelle Cortez de Subueto, who was nabbed by members of the CIDG-Quezon on June 8, is detained at the Lucena City police station detention cell. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mike Frialde