MANILA, Philippines - The family of alleged hazing victim Marvin Reglos met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima today to seek her help in the investigation into their kin's death.

De Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ), to conduct a parallel probe into Reglos' death.

Reglos was pronounced dead on arrival at the Unciano Medical Center in Antipolo City on Sunday night. He sustained several bruises allegedly incurred in initiation rites.

Reglos was a freshman law student at the San Beda College of Law.

Reglos' father, Lucito, and sister, Lorvie, requested that his remains be re-autopsied.

De Lima said the NBI will immediately designate a medico-legal officer to conduct the re-autopsy, while the bureau's Death Investigation Division (DID) will conduct the parallel probe into Reglos' death.

"Although their information is that na-autopsy na daw po ng funeral homes somewhere in Antipolo, pero hanggang ngayon wala pa silang hinahawakan na anuman, wala rin silang nakikitang medical records ng hospital na pinagdalhan kay Marvin... sa Unciano Hospital daw po. Para sigurado, kaya kailangan magconduct ng reautopsy," she said.

Call for brods' cooperation

De Lima, meantime, called on leaders of the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity to come forward and cooperate in the investigation.

De Lima co-founded an ally sorority of the Lambda Rho Beta, the Lambda Rho Sigma. She assured an "honest to goodness" investigation into Reglos' death.

"I will appeal to my brods sa frat na magcooperate sila fully sa investigation... The DID will invite known officers of Lambda Rho... the Grand Rhoan... to possibly shed light for further questioning," she said. 

"Interesado talaga ako malaman kung ano ang nangyari, sino ang mga involved and dapat managot talaga... that's a crimninal act. We have the Anti-hazing Law, 'di pa rin natuto mga frats natin," she added.

Lesson to the youth

Lucito Reglos thanked the Justice chief for directing the NBI to probe his son's death.

Marvin Reglos's remains was brought to San Beda today for public viewing, and he will be moved later in the day to Isabela.

Lucito said he agreed to bring Marvin to San Beda so that the youth may see what hazing can do to them.

"Para makita nung mga estudyante ang hindi magandang nangyari sa mga hazing o initiation na ganun... kasi talo kami pareho. Kami, namatayan; nakakulong sila. Kung hindi man sila nakakulong, nandoon sila nagtatago, wala silang magandang buhay sa ngayon," he said.

The family said they were not aware Marvin joined a fraternity prior to his death.

Ed Agustin, the victim's cousin, meantime, told De Lima there were 2 other victims who incurred serious injuries in the alleged hazing, one of whom is reportedly in critical condition.

De Lima said she will direct the NBI to look into the matter.