This is a list of hazing-related deaths in the Philippines. This is not an exhaustive list. Inclusion in this list requires that the incident was described by the media as a hazing-related death. The majority of deaths in this list include but are not limited to cases that involve fraternities.
The first reported hazing death in the Philippines was that of Gonzalo Mariano Albert, a University of the Philippines Diliman student and an Upsilon Sigma Phi neophyte. He died in 1954.
The death of Leonardo Villa in 1991 led to the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995.
List Before 1990
Date of death Victim Organization Institution Notes Upsilon Sigma PhiUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon CityThe first recorded hazing-related death in the Philippines. Died from a burst appendix during an operation. President Ramon Magsaysay created the Castro Committee to investigate the death. The committee found hazing not to be the cause of Albert's death but added that the mauling he received prior to the operation weakened him physically. Alpha Phi OmegaUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon CityFirst recorded hazing death in the history of the fraternity.Royal Gazette October 9, 1967 p17Miguel Arucan Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, Baguio Beta SigmaSan Sebastian College – Recoletos, ManilaBrother of Gregorio Honasan, who was later elected as Senator of the Philippines. Manuel Salas Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, Baguio Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, BaguioJuly 1983 Beta SigmaUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon CityUP Gazette 1983
1990s
Date of death Victim Organization Institution Notes Aquila LegisAteneo de Manila University, Quezon CityIn November 1993, 26 of 35 accused fraternity members were initially convicted of homicide. After the case was brought to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, the charges against the five were eventually downgraded to reckless imprudence resulting in homicide in 2012; nineteen were acquitted in 2002; and two died pending the decisions. Charges against the other five were dismissed. In 2014, the SC issued a final decision that the five were "eligible for probation."Villa's death led to the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995. Lex TalionisSan Beda College, ManilaCamaligan's father filed charges of murder against the fraternity members involved. The case was won with the paddle used in the hazing rites used as evidence. Alpha Phi OmegaUniversity of the Visayas, Cebu CityReportedly the first publicized fatal hazing incident in Cebu schools.1991 Araullo University, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija1991 Dennis Cenedoza Military hazingCavite Naval Training Center, Cavite City1991 Joselito Mangga Military hazingPhilippine Merchant Maritime Institute, Makati1992 Scintilla JurisUniversity of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio1995Seth LopezReserve Officers' Training CorpsDe La Salle UniversityLopez's parents filed murder charges, which were eventually dropped. De La Salle University introduced the Non-Fraternity Contract for freshmen after the incident. Epsilon ChiUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Tau Gamma PhiHoly Angel University, Angeles CityCitations: Alpha Phi BetaUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon CityUP Gazette 1998
2000s
Date of death Victim Organization Institution Notes Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, Baguio Dominante Tunac Police hazingPhilippine National Police Academy, Silang, Cavite Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, BaguioTwo cadets were convicted of homicide by the Baguio Regional Trial Court for his death, the first time that a civilian court convicted cadets of the Philippine Military Academy.Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, BaguioMilitary hazingPhilippine Merchant Marine Academy, San Narciso, Zambales Sigma MuFar Eastern University, ManilaJeoffrey AndawiPolice hazingPhilippine National Police Academy, Silang, CaviteBeta Sigma RhoCasanayan National High School, Pilar, CapizJonathan BombaseAlpha Phi OmegaPartido College, Goa, Camarines SurKapatiran ng mga Kabataang KriminolohiyaSt. Therese – MTC Colleges - Magdalo, Iloilo City Alpha Phi OmegaUniversity of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, LagunaDied during initiation rites conducted at the Villa Novaliches Resort in Barangay Pansol, Calamba, Laguna. His case saw the first conviction under the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995. Two Alpha Phi Omega members were sentenced to reclusion perpetua in a 2015 decision. Tau Gamma PhiTechnological University of the Philippines, ManilaA Day of Sorrow TUPians mourn on Hazing Victim's DeathAlpha Phi OmegaCapiz State University, Roxas City, Capiz Tau Gamma PhiPamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa Tau Gamma PhiCentral Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Tau Gamma PhiPalawan State University, Puerto Princesa Sigma RhoUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon CityStatement on the Death of Cris Anthony Garcia MendezTau Gamma PhiEnverga University, Lucena, QuezonTau Gamma Phi/Tau Gamma SigmaHoly Cross of Davao College, Davao CityJosephus dela RosaMilitary hazingTraining and Doctrine Center (TRADOC), Philippine Army, Camp O'Donnell, Capas, TarlacJohn Vincent BernatAlpha Kappa RhoNorthern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology, Butuan Scouts Royale Brotherhood, died in Alfonso, CaviteTau Gamma PhiLyceum of the Philippines University–Cavite, General Trias, CaviteScouts Royale BrotherhoodLakeshore National High School, Biñan, LagunaShot in the head during an initiation ritual.
2010s
Date of death Victim Organization Institution Notes UnknownMapúa Institute of Technology, Manila Kapatiran ng mga Kabataang KriminolohiyaUniversity of Iloilo, Iloilo City Alpha Phi OmegaUniversity of Makati, Makati Tau Gamma PhiDepEd Alternative Learning System, ManilaMilitary HazingPhilippine Merchant Marine Academy, San Narciso, Zambales Tau Gamma PhiNotre Dame of Tacurong College, Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat Lambda Rho BetaSan Beda College, Manila Lex Leonum FraternitasSan Beda College, Manila Collegiate hazingMaritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Mariveles, Bataan Tau Gamma PhiDe La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, Manila Tau Gamma PhiSouthern Luzon State University, Lucban, QuezonDied in a hospital in Naga, Camarines Sur after undergoing a hazing ritual in Tagkawayan, Quezon on October 17. True Brown StyleFortunato F. Halili National Agricultural School, Santa Maria, Bulacan Tau Gamma PhiWestern Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City Aegis JurisUniversity of Santo Tomas, ManilaTen suspects were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024.Military hazingPhilippine Military Academy, BaguioThree PMA cadets were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024.
2020s
Date of death Victim Organization InstitutionNotesTau Gamma PhiSolis Institute of Technology, Bulan, SorsogonAlpha Kappa Rho, died in Surigao City, Surigao del NorteTau Gamma PhiZamboanga National High School West, Zamboanga CityCollegiate hazingPhilippine Merchant Marine Academy, San Narciso, ZambalesMark Lester MirandaDoña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School, La Carlota, Negros OccidentalDied after undergoing a hazing ritual in San Enrique, Negros Occidental.Police hazingPhilippine National Police Academy, Silang, CaviteTau Gamma PhiUnnamed high school in Kalayaan, LagunaJaypee De Guzman RamoresPolice hazingPhilippine National Police, San Jacinto, MasbateBicol police file raps vs cops involved in patrolman’s death in MasbateAlpha Kappa RhoUniversity of Mindanao, Davao City Ronnel BaguioTau Gamma PhiUniversity of Cebu, Cebu City John Matthew SaliligTau Gamma PhiAdamson University, ManilaWent to a fraternity initiation in Biñan, Laguna and disappeared on that date. Found dead in an open field in Imus, Cavite on February 28. One suspect later committed suicide. Ahldryn Lery BravanteTau Gamma PhiPhilippine College of Criminology, ManilaDied hours after sustaining injuries at his fraternity initiation in Quezon City. Four suspects were arrested. Vince Andrew Delos ReyesCollegiate hazing and punishmentNYK-TDG Maritime Academy, Calamba, LagunaDied after being made to do strenuous exercises by a senior cadet over an alleged infraction on July 8. Ren Joseph BayanTau Gamma PhiSan Pablo National High School, Jaen, Nueva EcijaDied after undergoing a hazing ritual in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. Charlie Patigayon Military hazingPhilippine Army's 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters, Maguindanao del SurDied after undergoing a welcoming ceremony. Kenneth AlcedoTau Gamma Phi PNTC Colleges, Dasmariñas, CaviteDied after being left at a hospital in General Trias, Cavite by three companions who were identified as suspects, one of whom later surrendered.
See also List of hazing deaths in the United States Hazing in Greek letter organizations List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
References