The Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, originally known as the Order of the UP Triskelions, has been implicated in another hazing incident which resulted in the death of a student in Mindanao.
UP Triskelions Alumni Inc. President Luis Angel Aseoche said the fraternity’s mother chapter condemns the incident as details are still being gathered regarding the death of 18-year-old student Anthony Javier.
“Even as we are still collating the facts involving the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) chapter in Zamboanga City, the University of the Philippines (UP) chapter strongly condemns the continued violation of the Anti-Hazing Law by some members of the fraternity,” Aseoche said in a statement.
“The Tau Gamma Phi fraternity was founded in UP on October 4, 1968 precisely in protest to the prevailing culture of violence endemic among fraternities at that time. It was not established to reinforce such brutality, whether against other fraternities or among its members and recruits,” he added.
Raising alarm over a tradition being practiced by some chapters that “places recruits at extreme risk,” Aseoche said the recent incident will “cast a gloomy pall” on Tau Gamma Phi as the fraternity is set to celebrate its 47th founding anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 5.
“The Tau Gamma Phi reiterates its call on all chapters and councils to take to heart one of its primary tenets—Primum Nil Nocere or “First, Do No Harm”—and recommit to the avoidance of all forms of violence,” he said.
Aseoche extended condolences to the victim’s family and urged involved members to cooperate with authorities.
“We deeply condole with the family of Anthony Javier and strongly renounce this senseless act of violence. We, therefore, enjoin members of the WMSU chapter to cooperate fully with the authorities and help the family of Anthony Javier obtain justice,” he said.
Tau Gamma Phi was tagged in the death of sophomore student Guillo Cesar Servando of the College of St. Benilde in July last year.
READ: DOJ files case vs Tau Gamma members over CSB student’s death
The first conviction for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law was affirmed by the Supreme Court in August over the hazing of UP Los Baños student Marlon Villanueva in 2006. IDL
READ: For 1st time, frat men convicted of violating Anti-Hazing Law