21 eyed in hazing death of maritime student

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March 5, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one people were reportedly involved in the death by hazing of a freshman maritime student in Cavite, police said yesterday. Of the 21, nine directly participated in the hazing rites, which resulted in the death of Mark Kenneth Alcedo, 19, Cavite police director Col. Ariel Red said during a briefing at Camp Crame.

Red said a manhunt is ongoing for the suspects and persons of interest, who were not found in their known addresses.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the people involved in the hazing are members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

“We need to discuss the matter with the leadership of the Tau Gamma to put a stop to this kind of activity,” Remulla said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

Alcedo, a student of the Philippine Nautical and Technological Colleges (PNTC) based in Dasmarinas City, and two other neophytes were subjected to hazing in an open field in Barangay Langkaan, according to General Trias police chief Lt. Col. Bismark Mendoza.

Results of an autopsy conducted on Alcedo showed that he died from severe blunt force trauma in the lower extremities.

The victim also suffered a  tooth fracture and injuries to the abdomen, fingers, knees and toes, probers said.

In a statement, the PNTC said it would cooperate with the police to obtain justice for Alcedo’s family. It said that hazing has no place in the institution.

Car driver surrenders

As this developed, the driver of a Mitsubishi Mirage that transported Alcedo to the General Trias Medical Center in Barangay Manggahan on Sunday has surrendered.

The driver, identified only as John Mike, 23, surrendered on Tuesday night to General Trias Mayor Luis Alandy Ferrer IV, who turned him over to the local police.

John Mike, who was the first to be tagged as a person of interest in the case, is a fourth year student at the PNTC. He reportedly expressed willingness to confess in the presence of a legal counsel.

Two lawyers arrived at the police station to assist John Mike, but they reportedly advised him not to confess.

Due to lack of evidence, police were compelled to release John Mike.

Probers are reportedly considering John Mike as a witness against members of the fraternity involved in the hazing.

Police have identified two members of Tau Gamma who were among three people who brought Alcedo to the hospital.

The identities of the fraternity members were withheld as investigation is ongoing.