Group asks schools to ban fraternities

MANILA, Philippines - A pro-life group on Monday called on various school administrators in the country to ban fraternities and sororities in their respective campuses.

Pro-life Philippines' call came following the recent death of 2nd-year student of De La Salle College of St. Benilde due to fraternity hazing.

Eric Manalang, the group's president, said initiation rites of fraternities are only promoting and glorifying a "culture of death."

“Ang rite of initiation of passage is very pro-death. The culture of death ang bini-build up niyan," Manalang told Church-run Radyo Veritas.

He said schools and government agencies concerned have neglected their duties in preventing hazing incidents which lead to deaths of neophytes.

Manalang also said that government agencies concerned should be more vigilant to address the issue of hazing.

"Well they need to value life. I urged them to offer alternatives," Manalang said.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said fraternities only promote arrogance and not brotherhood among its members.

“Tungkol sa hazing, para daw makapasok sa brotherhood bugbog muna, sakitan muna. Ano bang klaseng kapatiran yung nambubugbog ng kapwa? Yabang yan, violence yan. Kapag sumali kayo mga kabataan sa fraternity huwag kayong mayabang," Tagle said.