12 suspects, including 10 minors, nabbed in Manila for alleged hazing

Twelve suspects, including ten minors, were arrested while conducting "initiation rites" for a fraternity along the streets of Sta. Ana in Manila.

According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Wednesday, CCTV footage of the incident showed the group conducting the rites on a victim at around 11 p.m. on February 2.

The group was later apprehended by a member of the Tactical Motorcycle Reaction Unit, who initially thought that the incident was just a common fist fight.

“’Yung complainant natin o victim ay nagsabi na siya ay pumapasok sa isang grupo ng fraternity, at doon nagkaroon ng idea ang ating kapulisan na may nangyayaring hazing,” said Manila Police District (MPD) Station 6 chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Dionelle Brannon.

(Our complainant or victim said he is trying to join a fraternity group, and that was when our police officers learned that there was hazing going on.)

The MPD said the rites included a “30-second massacre,” in which an aspiring gang member had to let fraternity members to unrelentlessly beat him up for 30 seconds before they would be allowed to join the group.

“Nalaman natin na yung initiation ay tinatawag nilang "jump in," at yung sinasabing pagdadaanan ng ating biktima ay tinatawag na "30-second massacre" na kung saan kanilang sasaktan, susuntukin, tatadyakan yung pumapasok sa kanilang grupo… Free for all yung nangyari sa kanya, mostly sa katawan niya ang pasa,” added Brannon.

(We found out that the initiation is called a "jump in," and what our victim was going through was called a "30-second massacre" where he will be hurt, punched, and kicked if he wanted to join their group… What happened to him was a free for all, and most of his bruises were on his body.)

Meanwhile, the apprehended suspects did not deny the allegations.

“Doon na po magsisimula yung bugbugan po. Hindi po [pwede gumanti]. Tatakpan lang niya ang katawan niya, sasalag lang para di tamaan masyado… Para lang maipakita na karapat-dapat po sila, na makapasok po sa amin,” one of the suspects shared.

(That was where the beating would begin. They cannot fight back. He just had to cover his body, and block the punches so that he won’t get hit much… That was so they could show that they were worthy to join our group.)

Authorities stated that the suspects will be charged for violation of the RA 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law and may face 12 to 20 years in jail along with a P1 Million fine.

“Mataas ang penalty nito, marami nang buhay ang nasira dito… Hindi lamang yung biktima nila, pati yung mga involved dito. Napakahalaga sa ating mga magulang na bantayan ang ating mga anak, tingnan ang mga activities nila, paalalahanan tungkol sa mga bagay na ito,” advised MPD Spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines.

(The penalty is heavy, this has ruined a lot of lives… Not just of the victims, but also the other people involved. It is very important for our parents to watch our children and monitor their activities, and remind them about these things.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News