4 men in fatal ‘hazing’ of Cebu student yield

CEBU, Philippines — Four of the five suspects in the alleged hazing death of Ronnel Baguio, a student at a university in Cebu City, surrendered to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) yesterday but police allowed them to go home after since they were not yet considered arrested.

Police did not identify the names of the suspects, whose faces were fully covered when presented to the media yesterday.

It was learned that two of the suspects first approached Mambaling Police Station, after which, they went to the CCPO accompanied by Atty. John Patrick Ompad to assist them in their extra-judicial confessions.

Ompad said that since Public Attorney’s Office head Persida Acota earlier said that her office will not help suspects of hazing, the suspects reached out to him as a private lawyer.

"They have not yet engaged me officially to be their counsel on the prospective (cases) nga i-file sa ilaha but only for the purposes nga mohatag lang sa presensiya nako nga up to the time nga mo-extract sila sa statements aning upat nato ka mga suspects,” said Ompad.

Ompad said the suspects were informed of their rights as accused, including the consequences of the execution of their extra-judicial confessions.

The lawyer said the suspects surrendered because they are willing to tell what really happened to Baguio.

"Ni-istorya sila nako gahapon (Miyerkules) ni-surrender sila para dili na gyud tawon masayang ang effort sa gobyerno tawon pagpangita nila, para pud tawon ma-satisfy ang publiko, para mapakita pud nila sa publiko nga sinsero sila sa ilahang sala nga gibuhat,” said Ompad.

Ompad added that according to their confessions, they participated in the rites but as to the question of who hit the victim, the lawyer did not disclose the information saying that it was already covered in the confession.

Surrender a mitigating circumstance

Police Lt. Col. Ma. Theresa Macatangay, spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office, said that the surrender of the suspects was the result of continuous coordination of the police, officers of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, and the victim’s family.

"They came forward because they would want to confess on what really happened and what really transpired during the incident. Today (Thursday) we will determine what is their degree of participation in that particular event,” she said.

It was learned that five suspects were identified by the police as suspects in the incident, but the fifth one has not surrendered as of this writing.

She said that once police have completed the necessary documents, they will file a case for violation of Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law, and it depends on the court if murder can be added to the charges. (FREEMAN)