19-Year-Old Maritime Student Dies from Brutal Hazing in Cavite — 21 Suspects Identified
A 19-year-old maritime freshman named Kenneth Alcedo is dead after what police say was a brutal hazing incident in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Autopsy results confirmed the cause of death: severe blunt force trauma to his lower extremities. The details are horrific.
According to Cavite police provincial director Colonel Ariel Rebancos Red, Alcedo's body showed a hematoma with abrasion on the lip, a fractured tooth, abrasions across his abdomen, fingers, knees, and toes, plus hematoma on his leg. A square indentation and chili seeds were found on his private parts — evidence of deliberate, sadistic violence.
Alcedo was brought to a hospital in General Trias on March 1 by three individuals who initially claimed he was a hit-and-run victim. Police didn't buy it. Investigation revealed that the hazing allegedly took place in an open field near several subdivisions in Barangay Langkaan, Dasmariñas.
Authorities have identified 21 people connected to the case — nine with direct participation are treated as suspects, while the rest are persons of interest. One suspect, a graduating student from Alcedo's school who drove the victim to the hospital, has already surrendered and is in police custody.
Police also revealed that three other neophytes were subjected to the same initiation rites and are being encouraged to come forward as witnesses. The case has reignited outrage over fraternity hazing in the Philippines, which continues to claim young lives despite the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 that made it punishable by life imprisonment.
Source: GMA News
