MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) started investigating the death of a Grade 10 student in San Enrique, Negros Occidental due to alleged hazing.
CHR spokesperson, Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the death of the student, whose name is being withheld, was alarming.
Schools have the responsibility to uphold and protect the rights of students even with the implementation of distance learning, according to Guia.
“The CHR has always held a strong stance against hazing and its consequences,” De Guia said. “Hazing is a direct violation of students’ right to safety and security, and also a threat to their well-being.”
The CHR official also urged schools and the security sector to ensure that the Anti-Hazing Act of 2008 is enforced properly and fully.
The Negrense victim allegedly had a drinking binge with friends on his birthday on Sept. 3.
Following the gathering, the victim reportedly had body aches. He died on Sept. 9.
According to his parents, he joined a fraternity in March but did not undergo the initiation rites because he was still a minor.
The CHR said the supposed initiation rites might have been done during the victim’s birthday.
The victim reportedly told his parents that the suspects hit him with a paddle.
Police already identified the suspects who denied having a hand in the victim’s death.
However, a wooden paddle was found in the house of one of the suspects./PN
