MANILA, Philippines -- Suspected hazing victim Cris Anthony Mendez joined the Sigma Rho fraternity “for networking, connections and out of curiosity,” according to a new witness who voluntarily surfaced at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Monday afternoon.
Identifying himself as a former member of the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) student council, the witness said he decided to come forward because he believed he had information that could help in the investigation.
The witness, who requested anonymity for security reasons, was referring to several text messages Mendez allegedly sent him before his death.
Several messages indicated that Mendez joined the Sigma Rho fraternity and that he went through hazing rites.
“In one of his text messages, Cris said he was recruited by [Ariel] Paolo Ante, along with four others. One time, he said, ‘Oo, si Paolo ang Master of Initiation [Yes, Paolo is the Master of Initiation],’” said the witness, who claimed he and Mendez “moved in the same circles” and were “close like brothers.”
Ante, the former head of the NCPAG student council, is believed to have recruited Mendez, a council member, into the fraternity. The witness claimed he trained the two as councilors.
He added that Mendez’s last text message was sent at 9:15 p.m. on August 24, three days before he was taken to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival. An autopsy report showed the victim was beaten up badly.
“He [Cris] said he was with Paolo Ante, along with several others, in a watering hole in UP. He also said ‘I’m joining Rhosig [Sigma Rho], please pray for me,’” the witness told the NBI.
“At one point, he asked me if he should still join the fraternity,” the witness added. “I told him ‘Why are you asking me? Would my opinion matter?’ His answer was, ‘Didn’t I tell you, whatever I start, I will finish. There’s no turning back.’”
Lawyer Romulo Asis, chief of the NBI Anti-Terrorism Division tasked to handle the case, said the witness’ testimony was a welcome development since he was the first to say that Mendez joined the fraternity and went through initiation rites.
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