UST suspends 30 students over Bar brawl

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Civil Law has suspended more than 30 students from two fraternities that figured in a brawl at a hotel during the Bar exams on Nov. 13.

Dean Nilo Divina, in his memorandum, preventively suspended all members of the Gamma Delta Epsilon and Aegis Juris fraternities “to prevent the occurrence of another confrontation that could put the lives of students and Bar examinees at risk.”

The order effectively prevents the members of the two fraternities from entering the UST campus and attending classes “until further orders.”

Divina – reportedly a member of the Aegis Juris – said the preventive suspension “is not intended as a penalty but merely a precautionary measure to protect the security of all law students.”

A high-ranking Manila Police District (MPD) official told The STAR that Divina has asked for a complete investigation of the brawl in front of the Manila Hotel last Nov. 13 that resulted in injuries to four Gamma Delta Epsilon fratmen and the arrest of seven Aegis Juris members.

“Once the investigation is completed and it is proven that the alumni were somehow involved, Dean Divina will ask the Supreme Court to mete punishment on them,” the official said.

Stricter security

Meanwhile, MPD acting deputy director for operations Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante said security will be tighter in the vicinity of UST on Nov. 27, the last Sunday of the Bar exams, because “customarily there will be a festive mood and we don’t want any troubles to arise, particularly now that there are reports that some fraternities are at each others’ throat.”

Last Sunday, a Manila City security personnel was caught carrying a gun near UST. He was reportedly moonlighting as a security escort for a magistrate’s son.

At around 4 p.m. the same day, members of the Utopia fraternity reportedly nearly came to blows with the Aquila Legis fraternity.

Bustamante said he will deploy policemen near the areas frequented by the fraternities to ensure that no clash will occur on the last day of the exams.

“The liquor ban is still enforced and anyone caught roaming around drunk will be arrested. We will also ban firecrackers and party poppers… We don’t want any explosive anywhere near the school,” he said.

In 2010, more than 40 persons were hurt when a grenade exploded in front of De La Salle University on the last day of the Bar exams.