By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Migz Zubiri urged relevant agencies to launch an awareness campaign about the dangers and legal consequences of fraternity hazing.
Zubiri made this call following the recent conviction of those responsible for the hazing death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III and another 18-year-old student in Nueva Ecija.
The senator emphasized the need for a comprehensive information campaign to educate students and the public about the serious consequences of physically harming neophytes to gain membership in a fraternity.
Meanwhile, Zubiri noted that despite the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, some sectors of the academic community remain hesitant to eradicate hazing practices because many faculty members are alumni of these Greek-letter organizations.
“I’ll be honest with you. Many members of the academe are part of fraternities and sororities at their schools, and they went through that, I guess, baptism of fire. Because of that, it’s difficult to change their mindset that this is an illegal act. It is an immoral act, and it should be stopped. So, there’s hesitation on that part,” he explained.
He mentioned that he will discuss with Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Commission on Higher Education Chairman Popoy De Vera the possibility of releasing a strongly worded memo to schools and universities warning organizations and fraternities that hazing is a criminal act and will be punished under the law.
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