In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Sorsogon student dies from hazing

By Bobby Labalan

February 18, 2020, 12:34 pm

SORSOGON CITY -- A 23-year-old student of a local school in Bulan, Sorsogon died Sunday after allegedly undergoing hazing by the Tau Gamma fraternity, the local police said.

Major Joel Trillanes, Bulan municipal police chief, identified the victim as Omer Despabiladeras, a student of Solis Institute of Technology (SIT) and a resident of Zone 4 in Bulan.

He was rushed to the Pantaleon Gotladera Memorial Hospital at around 4 p.m. but was declared dead on arrival by the physician on-duty, Trillanes said. He was among the 17 neophytes who allegedly underwent hazing conducted by the fraternity and SIT chapters.

Police authorities have coordinated with the scene of the crime office for the conduct of an autopsy to determine the injuries sustained by Despabiladeras.

Another hazing victim, Alfredo Gonia, was rushed to the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital where he is presently undergoing treatment, Trillanes added.

He said that based on their initial investigation, the hazing was held at Sitio Banase, Barangay San Vicente, but they are verifying a report that it happened in Zone 5 of the said municipality.

Trillanes said they have held for investigation the two persons who brought Despabiladeras to the hospital and that they are treating them as suspects. They were identified as Rembrant Gerola and Ulysis Berana, both Tau Gamma members and are out of school youth.

Trillanes said they already have in custody two other fraternity members who are willing to testify and had already given sworn statements to the police.

Based on their statements, there were about 15 Tau Gamma members who conducted the hazing rites but their names are still being verified by the police as of this writing.

The police are set to file charges of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law against the suspects. (PNA)

 

Comments