‘Hazing is against gospel values’ – CEAP

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MANILA, Philippines — An association of Catholic schools on Tuesday said that conducting initiation rites on neophytes by social organizations is against gospel values.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) issued this statement as they joined the chorus of condemnation over the violent death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig allegedly at the hands of his fraternity brothers.

CEAP president Ma. Marissa Viri said they “stand firm” against hazing and other initiation rites and violence.

“We believe these acts have no place in our educational institutions and do not represent the gospel values of Catholic education,” Viri said in a statement.

According to her,  such acts of violence do not foster the Catholic way of solidarity. “Such heinous acts not only endanger the lives of our students but also go against our mission of promoting solidarity and transformative Catholic education for our learners.”

“May this tragedy serve as a sobering reminder of the need for continued vigilance against all forms of violence and abuse in our schools,” she added.

The battered body of Salilig, 24, was found dumped in a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite, last month. Regional police authorities said Salilig died on February 18 due to “severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.” He was reportedly subjected to hazing by the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

READ: Adamson student died of ‘severe blunt force trauma’

Senators have been conducting a public inquiry into Salilig’s death as several suspects were placed under police custody after filing criminal complaints.

Salilig was laid to rest at the Forest Lake Memorial Park in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City last Saturday, March 4.

—Vance Chan, trainee

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