CRY FOR JUSTICE
Town cries for justice as hundreds expected in funeral of hazing victim

By Florence F. Hibionada

Villanuz

Top officials of the Municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo will show up in tomorrow’s (Saturday) funeral of a 19 year-old student ‘hazed to death’ by a city-based fraternity.  Hundreds more are expected not only from Barangay Lanag Norte, 55 kms off Iloilo City but throughout Tubungan and city pals of Dan Robert Talibutab, the hapless victim who succumbed to serious injuries sustained in the October 1st hazing.
 
Such, as Mayor Victor Tabaquirao moved to personally deliver to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco the official request of the town’s municipal council for an immediate probe, thorough investigation and subsequent filing of case to those responsible in the killing.

He would have been the only hope of the family for support once he finished college, a line of the town’s Resolution stated, and with the “very slow” progress of the corresponding probe, the town felt the need to seek DOJ and NBI intervention.

Pelopero

In an interview, Vice Mayor Divino Tanallon told The News Today (TNT) it was a unanimous move by the council duly supported by the mayor.  The victim’s mother, Norma, shed tears moments after paper works were facilitated in support of the Resolution.  Among those she saw were the pictures taken on her son, entire body bruised and beaten literally black and blue.
 
A second year Criminology student of the St. Therese College in Lapaz District, Iloilo City, Dan Robert would have been the first policeman in the family.  His father, 65 year-old Wilfredo still have to accept his son’s fate as he appealed to those responsible to come out and face up to what they did to his son.

This, as he asked why they have to hurt his son so much when he himself has not inflicted physical discipline to his 5 siblings.  A farmer who has spent decades in farm work, Wilfredo said he just wanted his son to finish college and would not have mattered if he helped them in return.
 
“Wala ko katapos elementarya pero hamdum ko gid sa bata ko nga matapos niya kolehiyo niya.  Wala na ko may mabulig sa iya pagkita ko sa hospital.  Tig-a na lawas niya kag puno gid itom sa bakol.  Nga-a amo gid ina ang gin-ubra nila sa iya?  (I did not finish elementary but I longed for my son to finish college.  When I saw him in the hospital, I can no longer help him.  He was already stiff and was black all over because of the beatings.  Why did they have to do that to him?),” he said while grieving.

The second of three Talibutab siblings, Dan used to go home on weekends but sought his mother’s permission to stay in the city October 1st.  He needs to study for his finals, he said, reason why he asked his mother to send instead his weekly fare allowance to augment his food allowance the coming week.  There was nothing unusual in him, his mother recalled except that he also asked for mefenamic acid, a pain killer.  His brother’s wife Maricel told TNT of the series of text messages Dan Robert received from Irene Villanuz during his last Barangay Lanag Norte stay.
 
Said sister in law was told that Irene was only a friend as Dan went on to ask her what a fraternity is and its benefits.

“Ginhambalan ko man siya nga indi mag-entra kay malain ina, (I did told him not to enter because it is not good,” Maricel said.

Villanuz has been named a suspect and is up for expulsion at St. Therese College.  Retired General Ernesto Canong, Dean of the Criminology Department has since called for Villanuz to surface.

“We condemn what happened.  It came as a shock on our part.  We do not tolerate any hazing or fraternities here.  Ms. Villanuz should come out to shed light on this matter and we are appealing for that.  We are also conducting our own investigation and have warned our students on the matter of fraternities and recruitment.  As for our student, Dan Robert, we have initiated some financial help as initial assistance,” Canong said.

In a report, Dueñas Police Chief, Inspector Julio Pama identified Gilbert Jardenico, B.S. Criminology student of the University of Iloilo (UI) as the “Datu” of the Kapatiran ng Kabataan Kriminolohiya or K3 fraternity and sorority.  Jardenico, Pama in his investigation disclosed, went to Barangay Purog, Dueñas, Iloilo “purposely to conduct initiation with their eleven (11) neophytes .”  The victim was amongst the neophytes while Kenny Roger Pelopero, son of Dueñas liga president was tagged as another K3 member and guide of the group.

“The owner of the place has actual knowledge where hazing is conducted therein but failed to take action to prevent the same from occurring.  If the hazing is held in the home of one of the Officers or members of the fraternity group or organization, the parents shall be held liable as principals,” the report as obtained by The News Today stated.

Yet Inspector Pama deemed it best to seek intervention of “higher command or other investigating agencies to handle this case.”  His reason, “to preempt the doubt of the family of the victim considering that the other suspect is a native of Dueñas, Iloilo and the one involved in this case is the ABC President of this municipality.”