DAVAO CITY: A graduating student of the University of Mindanao (UM) died while another student was severely injured due to a suspected fraternity-related hazing here.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 identified the slain fourth year criminology student as August Ceazar Saplot, a pledgee of the Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity, Alpha Delta Chapter. The identity of the other student, who is in critical condition, has not been divulged by the authorities.

According to initial investigations conducted by the Davao City Police Office, the victim’s body was found at Purok Santo Nino, Sison Village, Upper Mandug, Buhangin District this city where the hazing incident allegedly took place on Sunday, September 18.

Due to the quick action of the police, eight suspects allegedly involved in the initiation rites were arrested Monday afternoon. The suspects are students from the College of Criminal Justice Education of UM.

Police are still searching for the other six students who also participated in the hazing activity last Sunday.

Meanwhile, the management of UM strongly condemned the “senseless and deplorable incident in the highest possible consternation and dismay” as the university also offered its unqualified grief to the victims’ families.

“It has come to our attention that 4th year students from the College of Criminal Justice Education of the University of Mindanao (UM) were involved in a violent hazing incident on September 18, 2022, resulting in the unfortunate death of one and serious injury to another who were both neophyte victims. The illegal hazing incident was perpetuated by these students who are all members of the AKRHO Alpha Delta Chapter fraternity,” UM said in its statement Monday.

The school has already banned all fraternities from the university since the enactment of the Republic Act 8049 or the “Anti-Hazing Law.”

The UM said they are sternly intolerant of fraternities and hazing which only foster the culture of violence, which is an anathema to the core values and conducive learning environment that the university upholds since 1946.

The university emphasized that the Akrho Alpha Delta fraternity is not recognized as an organization in the campus.

“The hazing incident also happened outside of the campus premises of the university; it was deliberately and inconspicuously held in the far-flung barangay of Upper Mandug, Buhangin, Davao City,” the statement said.

However, since they are students of the university, they bring disrepute to the name of the institution. The perpetrators disrespected the strict instructions against hazing inside or outside the university.

The university expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the victims and promised to extend whatever means of assistance during the time of bereavement.

The university also fully supports the ongoing investigation of the law enforcement agencies and upholds whatever legal liabilities imposed upon the perpetrators.