DOJ forms team to probe Benilde hazing

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, July 14, ordered the creation of a special team to probe the death of a De La Salle-College of St Benilde student due to hazing.

DOJ Prosecutor General Claro Arellano ordered the creation of a special panel of prosecutors to conduct the preliminary investigation on the death of 18-year-old Guillo Cesar Servando, allegedly due to hazing.

Servando, a sophomore student from St. Benilde, was found unresponsive inside a unit of a condominium along Taft Avenue in Manila on June 29.

He was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Philippine General Hospital.

Members of the panel are:

• Assistant State Prosecutor Stewart Allan Mariano 
• Assistant State Prosecutor Arnold Magpantay 
• Assistant State Prosecutor Alejandro Daguiso

“The said panel is hereby directed to act with dispatch and resolve the aforementioned case at the soonest possible time, and if the evidence warrants, to file the corresponding information before the proper court,” wrote Arellano in the order.

The National Bureau of Investigation and Makati police have since filed charges before the Justice department against members of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity over the death of Servando and the injury of 3 others.

Four of the 20 being charged have already reportedly fled the country. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com