HAZING VICTIM. August Ceazar Saplot,19, a University of Mindanao (UM) criminology student, died on Sept. 18, 2022 after reportedly undergoing hazing in Upper Mandug, Buhangin District, Davao City. Eight suspects, who are under the custody of Mandug Police Station 13, will be charged with violation of Republic Act 8049, or the Anti-Hazing Law. (Graphics courtesy of PRO-11)
DAVAO CITY – A 19-year-old criminology student of the University of Mindanao (UM) died after reportedly undergoing hazing in Buhangin District here, authorities said Tuesday.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office in Davao Region (PRO-11) said the hazing on September 18 resulted in the death of August Ceazar Saplot, a "pledgee" of the Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity (AKHRO).
Saplot was with an 18-year student who managed to escape but sustained serious injuries. The student is being treated at a hospital, PRO-11 said.
On the same day, PRO-11 said police arrested eight suspects who are now under the custody of Mandug Police Station 13.
They will be charged with the violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.
They are Jeremiah Obedencia Moya, Leji Wensdy Ofecio Quibuyen, John Lloyd Garciano Sumagang, Harold Joshua Sagaral Flauta, John Steven Baltazar Silvosa, Ramel John Potenciano Gamo, Gilbert Escodero Asoy Jr., and Roseller Andres Gaentano.
Police are still tracking the remaining six suspects who immediately fled after the incident.
“PRO-11 appreciates the report from the concerned citizen that resulted in the immediate apprehension of the suspects. Indeed, if the community and the police work together, we can maintain a peaceful and safe community in the Davao Region," the regional police said.
Meanwhile, the University of Mindanao in a statement on Monday condemned the "senseless and deplorable incident with the highest possible consternation and dismay."
“The university is also offering its unqualified grief to the victims’ families. We express again our deepest condolences to the family of the victims and shall extend whatever means of assistance during this time of bereavement,” it said.
According to the university, all fraternities have been banned from the university since the enactment of the Anti-Hazing Law.
“However, since they are students at the university, they bring disrepute to the name of the institution. The perpetrators disrespected the president’s strict instructions against hazing inside or outside the university,” the university said. (PNA)
