The police said Wednesday that they are in pursuit of seven suspects involved in the hazing incident in Kalayaan, Laguna, that killed 18-year-old Raymark “RR” Rabutazo, a neophyte of Tau Gamma Phi.
Kalayaan Police Chief Police Lieutenant Erico Bestid Jr. told GMA News’ Unang Balita that two more suspects were apprehended on Tuesday.
“Actually, nakapag-inquest na po tayo kahapon. Identified na natin yung dalawa, arrested po natin yung dalawang suspek. At large po ngayon is pito,” he said.
(Actually, we have already conducted inquest proceedings yesterday. Two suspects were identified and arrested. Seven are currently at large)
Two fraternity officials, Reyvince Espaldon and Venzon Benedict Lacaocao, have been charged with homicide and violating anti-hazing laws and presented for the inquest at the provincial prosecutor’s office.
At least 23 fraternity members, including some of the victim’s relatives, were present at the hazing location, according to the victim’s father, Remil Rabutazo.
Students and out-of-school kids are involved in the hazing, according to Bestid. However, he claims their school is immune from blame since the fraternity chapter in question is community-based rather than school-based.
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Rabutazo’s grandmother went to the police station on March 20 to report that his grandson had been injured during the fraternity’s initiation ceremonies and had been sent to the Gen. Cailles Hospital, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.
The attending physician pronounced the victim dead upon arrival.
According to the PNP, the hazing occurred in a mountainous area in Barangay San Juan in Kalayaan, Laguna, based on preliminary inquiry.
The student had multiple injuries throughout his body, including the skull. He also had burns on his chest, and the blows caused several of his teeth to fall out.
Maricar Rabutazo, the mother of the student in Laguna who died of hazing, said only evil people could do such brutality on his son.
“Hirap na hirap siya sa nangyari. Pinaso ninyo, lagas ang ngipin, may damage ang ulo. Brutal na brutal. Demonyo ang gumawa,” Rabutazo said.
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