8 suspects, 12 persons of interest sought in alleged hazing death
The police are looking for eight other suspects and 12 persons of interest in the death of 19-year-old maritime student Kenneth Alcedo, who is believed to have died after undergoing hazing rites in Cavite province on March 1.
Cavite police chief Col. Ariel Red said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday that they were able to identify the suspects based on their investigation and the statements of a ninth suspect who surrendered to authorities.
“From what he said and the investigation we are conducting, there appears to be 21 personalities. But based on our investigation, nine of them have direct participation although that is still subject to final investigation,” Red said.
According to him, the ninth suspect drove the Mitsubishi Mirage that brought Alcedo to the City of General Trias Doctors Medical Center in General Trias around 2 p.m. on March 1.
The suspect, who was with two other men, told the hospital that the victim was involved in a hit-and-run incident. All three men left immediately after turning over Alcedo who was declared dead by a doctor.
The police, however, later found the Mitsubishi Mirage in Barangay Panungyanan, also in General Trias, allowing investigators to identify the ninth suspect who would surrender on Tuesday night.
General Trias police chief Lt. Col. Bismark Mendoza, who was also at the press briefing, told reporters that they have so far visited the houses of five out of the 21 people linked to the hazing case.
Inquest proceedings
“We already proceeded to their respective houses and possible hiding places and up to now, we are conducting hot pursuit operations because they were not at their given addresses,” Red added.
According to him, the suspect already in their custody will undergo inquest proceedings before the Dasmariñas City Prosecutor’s Office although Red did not say what case he was being charged with.
In a statement, Alcedo’s school, PNTC Colleges, expressed its condolences to his family.
“We condemn hazing in the strongest and most unequivocal terms … We do not recognize any fraternity or sorority within our school. We will pursue the maximum disciplinary sanctions and legal remedies available against any individual, group or organization found responsible,” it said.
The medicolegal exam, according to Red, said that Alcedo’s death was due to “severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.”
“His jaw was fractured. There were bruises on his nape, back and fingernails. There were also chili seeds and fruits on his private parts while his thighs were bruised and swollen,” Mendoza said.
Father’s lament
Alcedo’s father, Jun, said his son may have been forced into joining the fraternity, adding that he had warned him against doing so.
“He told me, ‘Pa, don’t worry because I would never join those.’ In our subdivision alone, there are many fraternities. He never joined them. That’s why I believe my son was a victim of intimidation as though he was influenced and threatened,” Jun told reporters in a phone interview.
“I vowed before his casket that we would fight for him until the end, no matter who approaches us. The funeral home owner told us to brace ourselves because we may be offered millions of pesos to settle the case,” he added.
“But what’s the use of money? Our source of joy is gone. We don’t need money. We need justice, not money,” he said.
