MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) asked colleges and universities to tighten up rules on student groups, regulating their recruitment and initiations, as it denounced the hazing death of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CLB) sophomore Guillo Cesar Servando.
In a statement CHEd chairperson Patricia Licuanan said that the commission “condemns in the strongest terms” Servando’s death in fraternity initiation rites.
“CHEd decries that despite repeated memoranda to schools, deaths from similar incidents repeatedly occur,” she said, adding that initiations involving violence and injury “run counter to the basic values and fundamental principles for which HEIs (higher education institutions) are established.
The agency directed DLS-CLB as well as the officers and members of the fraternity to investigate thoroughly the circumstances behind Servando’s death and take the necessary measures to get to the truth.
“Perpetrators and persons responsible should be properly penalized,” Licuanan stressed.
CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan. PHOTO FROM CHED.GOV.PH
While not believing that the DLS-CLB should be sanctioned for the fatal hazing of Servando, the CHEd chair clarified, the college’s report would be necessary “to clarify the issues and get their next steps on the matter.”
CHEd National Capital Region director Leonida Calagui has issued a memorandum to DLS-CLB to submit a report on its internal investigation in Servando’s death and the measures it has so far taken to prevent the holding of violent hazing involving its students.
Finally, the commission reminded all private and public HEIs to be vigilant and “institute measures to regulate recruitment and initiation activities.”
Licuanan further pointed out the HEIs’ serious responsibility and duty to comply with provisions of the Anti-Hazing Law.
Under the Anti-Hazing Law, no initiation rites of any form by a fraternity, sorority or organization is allowed without prior written notice to school authorities as to when the activity is to be held and who will participate. It should also contain an undertaking that no physical violence will be used on anybody during the rites.
The head of the school or their representative must assign at least two representatives to be present in the initiation to ensure that no harm is inflicted on the recruit or neophyte.
It is also the responsibility of the school officials to impose appropriate administrative sanctions on violators of the Anti-Hazing Law.
If a neophyte is hurt or he or she dies in the initiation rite, school authorities, including faculty members, who consented to or knew about the hazing but failed to act to prevent it is to be considered an accomplice to the crime.
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