GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite — Justice moved a step closer for the family of Mark Kenneth Alcedo after four members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity surrendered to authorities Sunday night in connection with the fatal initiation rites of the 19-year-old maritime student.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the development on Monday, noting that the suspects turned themselves in to the General Trias Component City Police Station past 9 p.m. The surrender comes amid a mounting crackdown on fraternity-related violence in the province following the March 1 incident that claimed Alcedo’s life.
Authorities identified the suspects as John Lee Tuliao, 22; Archie Rosil, 21; Kenneth Ompod, 18; and John Rey Torrecampo, 19. The group was escorted by representatives from the Tau Gamma Phi National Council, personnel from the Police Regional Office Calabarzon Intelligence Unit, and two legal counsels.
Investigation records indicate that Alcedo, along with two other neophytes, underwent grueling initiation rites at an open field adjacent to a subdivision in Dasmariñas City. Following the “welcoming” ceremony, three fraternity members transported a non-responsive Alcedo to the General Trias Medical Center aboard a Mitsubishi Mirage before fleeing the premises. Medical staff declared the victim dead later that afternoon.
An autopsy conducted by forensic investigators revealed that Alcedo succumbed to blunt force trauma localized in his lower extremities. In a disturbing detail noted by the Philippine National Police (PNP), investigators discovered traces of fruit and chili seeds on the victim’s groin and buttocks, suggesting additional physical degradation during the rites.
The breakthrough in the case began last Tuesday when the driver of the getaway vehicle surrendered and provided a sworn statement. This testimony allowed the Cavite Provincial Police Office to identify eight primary suspects and 12 other persons of interest.
While Cavite Provincial Police Office Director Col. Ariel Red and General Trias Police Chief Lt. Col. Bismark Mendoza have deferred further comments to the PNP Public Information Office, the national leadership of Tau Gamma Phi has publicly condemned the incident. During a briefing with Secretary Remulla last Friday, the fraternity’s National Council urged all implicated members to surrender and reiterated its directive for local chapters to strictly adhere to Republic Act No. 11053, also known as the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
The four suspects are currently in police custody as investigators prepare to file formal charges for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, which carries a penalty of reclusion perpetua and heavy fines if the initiation results in death.
Sources:
- Inquirer.net (2026). “4 Tau Gamma Phi members surrender to police over Alcedo hazing case.”
- Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. “Republic Act No. 11053: Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.”
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