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[av_heading heading=’ ABOVE THE LAW ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
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Tuesday. September 19, 2017
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FILIPINO political scientists and historians are very much familiar with the history of brotherhood.
On July 7, 1892, the Katipunan or Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or KKK was formed. This was a patriotic society that aimed to free the Philippines from Spanish rule. They did this through revolution.
The Katipunan had three objectives. These were to unite Filipinos, gain Philippine independence by means of revolution, and establish a republic after independence.
It was a solid society. Why? Members of the Katipunan performed the solemn rite of blood compact. A member must draw his own blood and sign his name on the oath of membership. This was a strong sign of allegiance.
Today, there is no Katipunan anymore. However, the ideals of this society have remained in the generations of Filipinos that followed them. How?
Fraternities, sororities and other organizations have become popular in the Philippines. They aim to build strong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. Sadly, some practices defeat the purpose of camaraderie.
The obnoxious face of hazing is staring at us again. Last Sunday, Horacio Tomas Castillo III was found dead in Tondo, Manila. A day before he died, he told his parents he would be attending the welcoming rites of the Aegis Juris Fraternity.
There were past cases of fraternity deaths. But this one is different. Aegis Juris Fraternity is a university-accredited organization of the University of Santo Tomas.
Who’s liable? The Anti-Hazing Law or Republic Act 8049 needs to be overhauled to ensure that persons or groups responsible behind hazing deaths would be held accountable. But how?
Section 2 of the said law provides that a written notice must be submitted to the school about an initiation rite. The letter shall indicate the period of the initiation activities which shall not exceed three days, shall include the names of those to be subjected to such activities, and shall further contain an undertaking that no physical violence be employed by anybody during such initiation rites.
The notice should be submitted to the school seven days prior to the initiation rites.
On the other hand, Section 3 provides that the school must assign at least two representatives during the initiation rites to make sure that the neophyte will not be subjected to any physical harm while under Section 4, penalties should also consider psychological harm to the victim.
I hope this provision will be implemented strictly like imposing penalty for non-compliance. This way, initiation rites will be supervised well and there will be less or no shocking results.
I hope that the definition of hazing will be more comprehensive as well as the scope of liabilities and penalties for hazing offenders. Educational institutions have the biggest role. They can help in hazing prevention and awareness.
In the case of Horacio, the UST should take the lead in seeking justice for its student. The deepest wound goes to his parents. Our condolences.
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
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