Capitol wants to revisit anti-hazing ordinance

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale wanted to revisit a provincial ordinance that prohibits hazing initiation and other forms of violence in fraternities.

Magpale also considered, as an option, increasing the penalties against violators. The vice governor thought of reviewing the ordinance following the death of a student from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila because of alleged hazing.

“It’s about time to increase the penalties. We should revisit it. We should be more proactive karon,” Magpale told reporters.

She hopes that the same incident would not happen here in the province.

Last Saturday, an 18-year-old college sophomore, Guillo Cesar Servando, died from alleged hazing initiation conducted by suspected members of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

In a report of The Philippine Star, Servando and three other student companions were picked up at a condominium building in Manila but four hours la-ter, the four were brought back to One Archers Place along Taft Avenue in Malate, Manila.

His companions, one of which is a minor, were rushed to the Philippine General Hospital after ha-ving been beaten up in the same hazing rites. Hazing is being banned under Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law, which prohibits physical violence during initiation rites.

According to a provision of the law, if the person subjected to hazing or other forms of initiation rites suffers any physical injury or result to death, the officers and members of the fraternity, sorority or organization ‘who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm’ shall be liable.

Perpetrators will meet penalties ranging from ‘prision correccional’ in its maximum period of six years to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.— (FREEMAN)