BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – Fraternities need not be abolished but hazing should be discontinued, according to a regional representative of Alpha Phi Omega, one of the largest collegiate fraternities in the Philippines.
“Hindi ako sang-ayon na tanggalin ang fraternities sa schools and universities kasi may magandang layunin naman,” Jimmy Patiño told Panay News.
In this city for example, “malaki naman ang naitutulong (ng fraternities) sa peace and order,” said Patiño.
For several years now, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has enlisted the help of several school-based fraternities and sororities in a bid to curb fraternity wars and conduct civic activities.
Patiño urged fraternities obey the Anti- Hazing Law (Republic Act 8049).
“Let us help one another (maintain) peace in Iloilo City,” he added.
Fraternities, Patiño said, foster camaraderie and are good training venues for future leaders.
On Saturday, an Ilonggo student of De La Salle – College of St. Benilde, Guillo Cesar Servando of Bacolod City, died in a fraternity hazing in Manila.
It triggered calls for either the abolition of fraternities or giving more teeth to the Anti-Hazing Law.
Republic Act 8049 defines hazing as “an initiation rite or practice as a prerequisite for admission into membership in a fraternity, sorority or organization by placing the recruit, neophyte or applicant in some embarrassing or humiliating situations such as forcing him to do menial, silly, foolish and other similar tasks or activities or otherwise subjecting him to physical or psychological suffering or injury.”
ICPO spokesperson, Supt. Gilbert Gorero reminded fraternities here to obey the Anti-Hazing Law.
Under the law, no hazing or initiation rites in any form or manner is allowed without prior written notice to school authorities or head of organizations seven days before the conduct of such initiation.
The head of the school or organization or their representatives must assign at least two representatives to be present during the initiation.
“It is the duty of such representative to see to it that no physical harm of any kind shall be inflicted upon a recruit, neophyte or applicant,” stated Section 3 of the Anti- Hazing Law.
If the person subjected to hazing or other forms of initiation rites suffers any physical injury or dies as a result of it, the officers and members of the fraternity, sorority or organization who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals, the law added.
Violators face imprisonment from as short as four years to reclusion perpetua (life imprisonment)./PN
