Another hazing-related death: When will we ever learn?

As if sugar, onions, natural calamities, and rice woes were not enough, here comes another hazing-related death in the name of brotherhood that adds up to our mounting problems as a nation still reeling from the pandemic.

In spite of Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995 as amended by RA 11053 of 2018 that banned hazing in whatever form, another senseless hazing-related death has been hugging the headlines in apparent mockery of the law. And as in previous similar incidents, we grit our teeth to condemn, pass judgment, or even question a seemingly toothless law. How soon would our knee-jerk reactions fizzle out would depend on how the fire of such a trending issue would burn in our national consciousness, although, as our wont, such violence, sooner or later, would be swept under the rug—another statistic relegated into the dustbin of history the usual “ningas cogon” way.

Being a frat member myself and an active officer of a leading international fraternity with a long and prestigious history dating back to 1925, I am saddened by this incident, which could have been avoided if authorized in coordination with the school as the law provides and supervised by a master initiator who sets the rules, especially the nonparticipation of uninvited “blood-thirsty” senior “brods” who are either out to avenge previous experience as neophytes or try to dilute an otherwise solemn rite with alcohol intake and unruly behavior.

As a proud member of my frat steeped in the principles of leadership, friendship, and service, which has served me in good stead as a town official/executive for decades, I am for the outlawing of such “fly-by-night” groups masquerading with Greek letter acronym in the guise of “brotherhood,” but in truth, are nothing but gangs with card-bearing dropouts, scums, and bullies as members out to harass or wage war against other well-meaning fraternities or campus groups.

So much for finger-pointing, “what ifs,” and “what should have beens” which, most often than not, have not done us any good, except, perhaps, unite this nation for a while until another victim comes along.

When will we ever learn, really?

JBB,

Santa Ilocos Sur