Four suspects in alleged hazing case in Cebu surrender

Cebu City (CNN Philippines, March 9) — Four suspects tagged in the alleged hazing death of a student in Cebu City surrendered to authorities on Thursday, according to local police.

Accompanied by their lawyer, the suspects trooped to the Cebu City Police Office earlier in the day and said they were driven to surrender by their conscience.

"They came forward because they would want to confess on what really happened and what really transpired during the incident," PLtCol Maria Theresa Macatangay told reporters in a briefing. "Today we will determine what [their] degree of participation in that particular event."

Macatangay added that the suspects' move was a result of their continued dialogue with the Tau Gamma Phi — the fraternity both the victim and suspects were affiliated with.

"We're thankful na ngayon nagkaroon sila ng lakas na loob na harapin 'yung mga nangyari (that they found the courage to face the events) subsequent to their initiation," she said.

The police official, however, noted that one more suspect has yet to surrender.

The case was first put in the spotlight last week, when the Public Attorney's Office revealed that the Tau Gamma Phi had been linked to another fraternity-related death in Cebu. The group was also earlier tagged in the controversial death of Adamson student John Matthew Salilig.

Police launched an investigation into the case and warned that charges will be filed "very soon."

Cebu-based journalist Dale Israel contributed to this report.