Death of UP student a reminder to ‘extend kindness, understanding’ — Panelo

MANILA, Philippines — The death of a student leader from the University of the Philippines Diliman should serve as a gentle reminder to “extend kindness, patience, and understanding,” Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Monday.

“We hope that this will serve as a gentle reminder to everyone to extend kindness, patience and understanding to all, regardless of the circumstances, especially as we are now in the age of interactive computer-mediated technology,” the chief presidential legal counsel said in a statement.

Panelo also said the Office of the President wishes to “express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, classmates, and loved ones of the deceased for the tragic loss.”

The said fraternity member was implicated in a hazing incident which the UP administration is already investigating.

The student’s family and the UP Office of the Chancellor earlier called on the public to stop posting and forwarding social media messages related to the student’s death.

“Let us do this out of a sense of decency and respect for the privacy of the family,” the Office of the Chancellor said in a statement.

“Sensationalism is itself a form [of] violent assault and is not the solution to the fraternity culture of violence,” it added.

READ: Frat member implicated in hazing at UP Diliman dies