Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A new anti-hazing bill has passed the House of Representatives and is now on its way to the Senate. Will this finally put a stop to violent practices of gangs and fraternities?
A few days ago, Grade 8 student Christian de la Cruz, coming from this school in Bulacan, was believed to have suffered severe beating during a hazing incident. He died from liver damage and extreme swelling of the right abdomen.
Last year, college sophomore Guillo Cesar Servando was also killed, apparently during fraternity initiation rites.
Every year for more than a decade now, there have been countless reports of young people dying of hazing.
Lawmakers say this is a growing concern that should be immediately dealt with.
Rep. Terry Ridon of the Kabataan party-list group said, partly in Filipino and in English: “The physical strength of a child is not the basis for determining his fitness or loyalty to an organization… There is a very thin line between hazing and the exercise of legitimate organizations.”
The Anti-Hazing Law (Republic Act 8049), which was passed in 1995, has failed to stop violent initiation rites of new members of fraternities and gangs.
Based on the records of the Homicide Division of the Philippine National Police (PNP), 13 people aged 16 to 25 have died from hazing since 2000 to 2008.
And hazing-related violence appears to have worsened, with at least one death recorded every year since 2009.
Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, author of the bill repealing the Anti-Hazing Law, says there are at least 130 cases to be solved.
House Bill 5760 imposes stricter measures to penalize schools and fraternity or sorority officers.
Depending on their roles in the incident, they can spend a lifetime in jail and pay fines of up to P3 million.
Under the old law, he pointed out, the act becomes a crime only once someone dies.
“Now, the act of hazing itself is a crime,” he said.
Ridon agreed, saying that, under the current law, an offender’s charge could be converted to serious physical injuries or reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
The bill also holds the school, and even community leaders accountable for any hazing activities in their areas.
The proposed anti-hazing measure has been transmitted to the Senate.
