UPD chancellor on frat-related incidents: ‘There is no place for cowards in UP’

University of the Philippines Diliman Chancellor Dr. Michael Tan on Friday condemned two fraternity-related incidents which transpired on June 17 which left at least four students hurt.

In a statement, Tan said that the first incident happened at around 3 p.m., where two students were attacked by a group of men who were wearing masks.

The assailants were able to escape and the students were treated at the University Health Service.

The second incident, meanwhile, happened an hour later when a group of suspects attacked occupants in a parked vehicle. The group used two getaway cars with one later apprehended outside the campus following a car chase with UP Diliman police.

Tan said that the use of getaway cars showed that the attacks were premeditated.

The chancellor described one of the victims as “bugbog sarado” (beaten to a pulp).

“He was clearly in a daze and could not speak. Only the term ‘savage’ can be used to describe what the assailants did to the student,” he said.

The UP Diliman head assured the public that investigations on the incidents are ongoing and UP Diliman security “is on alert to prevent further fraternity related incidents.”

The two frat-related incidents marred the 107th anniversary celebration of the university last Wednesday. Tan tagged the assailants as a “disgrace to the fraternities concerned and the university.

The UP Diliman administration has imposed preventive suspension on the students involved in the incidents. The students involved will be expelled from the university if found guilty.

“UP Diliman will act firmly, initiating immediate preventive suspension on students involved in the assault and promptly conduct hearings. We will impose the full penalty for those found guilty, and this is expulsion. There is no place for cowards in UP,” Tan said.

Tan withheld the names of the victims and the fraternities involved. But reports said that the victims were allegedly from Alpha Sigma Fraternity.

Five suspects are currently detained at the Quezon City Police District’s Anonas Police Station where they will be facing frustrated homicide, malicious mischief and illegal possession of firearms charges. AU

Read more...