A 25-YEAR-OLD criminology student on Monday became the latest victim of alleged fraternity hazing.

Ahldryn Lery Chua Bravante, a 4th year criminology student at the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) and a resident of Pinabayaan Esguerra Compound, Bgy, Pasong Buaya, Imus, Cavite, was added to the list of hazing deaths.

Four suspects who claimed to be members of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity- PCCR Chapter are now under police custody. They are Justine Artates, 20, of Marceles Subdivision, Imus, Cavite; Kyle Michael De Castro, 21, of Bulusan St., Bgy. Paang Bundok, QC; Lexer Angelo Manarpies, 20, of Agudo St., Bgy. Claro, Proj. 3, QC, and Mark Leo Andales, 20, of Neptali Gonzales St., Sitio II, San Jose Mandaluyong City.

Police said that the alleged hazing transpired around 2 p.m. Monday beside an abandoned STEPS condominium building in Calamba St., Bgy. Sto. Domingo, Quezon City.

Bravante reportedly had difficulty in breathing and became unconscious after the hazing activity which prompted Artates and De Castro to bring him to the hospital, where he was declared dead-on-arrival.

According to the Quezon City Police District, the Blumentritt Police Community Precinct of the Manila Police District received a call around 7 p.m. from the Chinese General Hospital regarding an unconscious male person with physical injuries. The message was relayed to the QC police.

Cpl. Benedict Gutierrez and Pat. Mac Rupert Delatado, along with duty investigator SSgt. Paolo De Guzman, proceeded to the hospital.

In their interview with Artatez and De Castro, the victim’s companions admitted that Bravante, who was a neophyte, was subjected to initiation rites, the usual way of welcoming a new member.

However, the victim, according to the two suspects, had suffered difficulty in breathing until he became unconscious.

The two brought Bravante to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival around 6:40 p.m. by attending physician, Dr. Pamela Tangcueco.

A team from the QCPD Forensic Unit arrived and conducted a cursory investigation and found out that the hazing victim sustained hematoma on his both legs and marks of burned cigarette on his chest and hands.

Artatez and de Castro were arrested while the two others surrendered to operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Quezon City Field Unit.

CRY FOR JUSTICE

The family of Bravante wants justice for his death.

According to Bravante’s father, Alexander, his son suffered a gruesome death.

“Wala na ho, matigas na eh. Nung dinala dun sa ospital matigas na. Ibig sabihin nun, pinatay na nila ang anak ko,” said Bravantes’ father.

According to Alexander, his last talk with his son was last Sunday. “Basta ang sabi n’ya maaga s’yang papasok ng araw ng Lunes,” the father said.

The victim’s younger sister, Aura, in a television interview, said Bravante told her that he will go to Manila to finish his thesis.

“Kamamatay lang po ng panganay naming kuya dahil sa aksidente. Humihingi po kami ng hustiya at tulong sa gastos dahil walang-wala rin po kami. Parang sinadya po ang pagpatay sa kuya Ahldryn ko,” Aura said.

DASTARDLY ACT

The PCCR yesterday confirmed the death of one of its graduating students due to hazing and joined the family’s demand for justice over the gruesome crime suffered by the victim.

In a statement, the PCCR extended condolences to the family of Ahldryn Bravante, a 25-year-old criminology student who died in the hazing rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity on Monday.

“Hazing, in any form, is an abhorrent and reprehensible practice that has no place in our society,” said the PCCR.

“We condemn this dastardly act that undermines the very principles of respect for human dignity, and care for one another that we, as the PCCR community, strive to uphold, it added. By Joel dela Torre and Jane Eleda