St. Benilde student dies in suspected hazing incident

The Manila Police Department's Homicide Division notes the students were attempting to join the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity

Rappler.com

Published 12:34 PM, Jun 29, 2014

Updated 4:45 PM, Jun 29, 2014

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Police are investigating the death of a college student in what is believed to be a hazing incident in Manila, according to a radio report on Sunday, June 29.

DzMM reported that Guillo Cesar Servando, 18, a sophomore student at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB), was found unresponsive inside a unit of One Archer's Place along Taft Avenue in Manila. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Philippine General Hospital, where he and 3 of his schoolmates were rushed after a supposed hazing ritual.

An initial police report quoted the guard of the condominium as saying that the 4 students seemed drunk when they were making their way back to their room at around 9:30 pm on Saturday night, June 28. However, at 11 pm, an ambulance arrived and the guard was told that the students had asked for help.

The 3 other students, who have not been named, are being treated for injuries to the buttocks and back.

The Manila Police Department's Homicide Division noted that the students were trying to join the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity. It said the students were picked up at a fast food restaurant that evening, taken to a remote location, and then dropped off near the condominium after the hazing ritual.

DLS-CSB released a statement mourning the death of the student.

The school reiterated its prohibition of fraternity-related violence and said it will cooperate with authorities in the investigation of the "deplorable incident."

"This is a time of great sadness as De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde mourns the demise of one of our students and prays for the recovery of the other students who are also victims of a recent fraternity hazing incident," the statement read.

"The College reiterates its prohibition of fraternities and fraternity-related violence. We will continue to fully cooperate with the police authorities as they investigate this deplorable incident," it added.