9 minors, 33 others held in Btac Nuevo frat hazing

By Florence F. Hibionada

At least nine minors and 33 fraternity members involved in a hazing incident were brought to police custody in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. This, after government agents from said town acted on a tip from concerned school officials alarmed over the absence of its students believed to have been lured into the fraternity.

In an interview, lead investigator PO3 Rio Estilo told The News Today, Barotac Nuevo police 'caught in the act' the 42 frat members headed by Albert Bigsat, local fraternity president. Twelve of those present were neophytes and then subjected to physical contact when chanced upon by the police. All were brought yesterday (Thursday) to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 headquarters in Camp Delgado for medical check-up.

Asked on the frat members' condition, PO3 Estilo said everybody appeared to be "okay" though the neophytes bore physical evidence of trauma consistent to being hit by a hard object. Among the recoveries made by the police were paddles used in the hazing.

Authorities has since received complaints from teachers and school administration officials on the widely-known recruitment made by fraternity members. Such has been blamed on the recurring absences of the students and the commotion that normally erupts within the school district. Those involved in the melee would usually be members of rival gangs and fraternities.

The hazing occured in a secluded part of Sitio Pidyayong, Barangay Gintas. Most of those held by police were former students of the Iloilo State College of Fisheries and students of the Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School.

PO3 Estilo disclosed that those recommended for medical check-up were 17 year-old Jonel Bucayan, 18 year-old Roque Bucayan, 16 year-old John Ray Miravide, 17 year-old Joel Ferrer, 17 year-old Ariel Braga, 17 year-old Julius Gregor Laserna, 16 year-old Carmelo Brito, 20 year-old Jesus Dominas, 21 year-old Ricky Medianero, 16 year-od Joseph Batislaong, 22 year-old Herman Dabo and the sole female in the group, Mary Ann Blancaflor.

This, as PO3 Estilo clarified that the group were not "arrested" but invited thus far for custodial investigation and questioning.

Those to be held responsible in the infliction of physical contact and corresponding recruitment of the minors face possible violations under RA 8049, the Anti-Hazing Law.