The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called for full accountability following the death of a 19-year-old student allegedly involved in a Tau Gamma Phi fraternity initiation in Cavite.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla presided over a press conference on Friday, addressing the death of Mark Kenneth Alcedo, a first-year student at the Philippine Nautical and Technological Colleges from Barangay Langkaan 2, Dasmariñas City.

Alcedo was reportedly a new recruit of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.

“This is unacceptable,” Remulla said. “This is the second time in four years that a hazing-related death has occurred in my province involving the same fraternity. We cannot play the blame game forever. Someone has to take accountability for what happened.”

Authorities have identified 17 suspects, with one already in custody, and expect to detain the remaining individuals soon. Most of the suspects are students, aged 18 to 19 years old, according to the PNP.

Secretary Remulla emphasized that the fraternity has promised to cooperate with authorities and reform its initiation practices to prevent further violence.

Representatives from Tau Gamma Phi condemned the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased. They urged any members involved to surrender to authorities voluntarily.

The DILG plans to issue a lookout bulletin for all 17 suspects and stressed that the fraternity, with a membership of around one million, must aid in locating and turning over those responsible. “This will not go unpunished,” Remulla said.

“Tutuluyan namin ‘to at hahanapin namin lahat ‘yan,” he added.

The department reiterated its call for fraternity leaders to take a proactive approach in ending violent initiation practices.

“We strongly urge to reform their culture of violence during initiations and I expect that the senior leadership of the Tao Gama Fee will take a proactive approach into stopping this form of violence,” Remulla said.