Hazing death suspect arrested in Muntinlupa

Police officers arrested Thursday one of 10 suspects who allegedly conducted hazing rites that killed a student in Muntinlupa City more than a year ago.

Senior Police Officer 1 Henry Himbing of the Muntinlupa Police Investigation Division identified the suspect as Ronnel Dalisay, 21, a resident of Barangay Putatan. Dalisay is reportedly one of the officers of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity who subjected Dennis Africa, a student of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, to hazing rites in 2006.

Himbing said they caught Dalisay at the house of a certain Teofilo Armoleda in Sitio San Antonio, Barangay Poblacion. He said they brought with them a warrant for Dalisay’s arrest issued by Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 207 Judge Philip Aguinaldo.

Dalisay, together with fraternity officials Tadeo Macarubbo, Adrian Pura, Joan delos Reyes, and Rafael Obalan, were among those who recruited Africa and reportedly responsible for his death on Aug. 19, 2006.

The suspects reportedly used wooden tools and thick belts to hit Africa on the different parts of the body. They went into hiding after student-witnesses came out and identified them as those who physically abused the victim.   

No bail was recommended against the suspects, who were charged with violating the anti-hazing law.   – Rhodina Villanueva