Sen. Pia condemns newest student death caused by frat hazing

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today condemned the newest incident of death of a student neophyte due to fraternity initiation rites or 'hazing.'

"Another life has been lost to a senseless killing by misguided students who perpetuate a culture of violence," said the lady senator, referring to the death of 22-year-old Marc Andrei Marcos, a freshman law student at San Beda College who was left to die in a hospital in Cavite on Monday reportedly after going through fraternity hazing rites.

Cayetano said those responsible for Marcos' death must be arrested immediately and made to face justice. She also urged senior fraternity members and alumni to break their silence to help solve the case and end the cycle of fraternity hazing deaths.

"Can we hear from the senior brods? Members of the fraternity who are now established members of the bar? Do you talk to the current leaders of your frat and do you tolerate these kinds of hazing activities? It would seem that there is lack of interest and determination among fraternity leaders and alumni to address these senseless deaths. They should come out and stop hiding behind the cloak of secrecy and false sense of brotherhood," she stressed.

Cayetano said she will study proposals to amend the Anti-Hazing Law or Republic Act 8049, which regulates hazing instead of outlawing it altogether.

She said the death of Marcos is made more appalling by the fact that it happened merely five months after the case of Marvin Reglos, also a law freshman at San Beda College, who died after initiation rites by suspected members of the Lambda Rho Beta last February.

"Are fraternities really untouchable? Are our schools helpless against such violent practices? Apparently, we learned nothing from the Reglos case. That case is far from resolved and the main suspects are still at large. But here we go again, another hazing fatality," she added.

"This culture of violence has got to stop before it claims another promising young life. It's a barbaric concept: I beat you up, and you remain loyal to me."

She said there are many alternatives to measure a neophyte's commitment, endurance and loyalty to an organization. "Last time there was a hazing death incident, I challenged all fraternities to make neophytes do an endurance sport for a cause. Neophytes would also learn more from enduring days of climbing a mountain with books, medicine, and food for mountain villages."

"Tignan natin kung nakaka-lalaki yung pag-akyat ng bundok na may mabigat na dala, o tumawid sa ilog na may kargang sako ng bigas para sa mahihirap at liblib na komunidad."