How many more must die due to FRV before we abolish frats?

Haven’t there been enough deaths caused by fraternity-related violence?

Content warning: this article contains an account of graphic physical violence.

On Feb. 28, the body of missing Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig was found, with reports saying he allegedly died due to fraternity initiation rites.

The 24-year-old had dreams, his brother told news outlets, aspirations of becoming a chemist to help Filipinos access better and affordable fuel. These were cut short by a stiff wooden paddle.

The investigation found that John Matthew went to Biñan City, Laguna to join the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity chapter at his university. A witness told the police that the 24-year-old was hit in the head a gruesome 70 times with a wooden paddle, about one meter in length and six to eight inches thick, as part of hazing rites.

John Matthew was so battered that he died on the way back to Manila, and his so-called “brods” reportedly buried his beaten body in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite with no clothes on. Biñan City police chief Lt. Col. Virgilio Jopia told Inquirer that 17 persons of interest are eyed as suspects.

Abolish fraternities

In the University of the Philippines alone, there have been several cases of deaths due to FRVs, with the first dating back to 1998.

The death of University of Santo Tomas student Horacio Castillo prompted the government to amend the current Anti-Hazing Act in 2018, widening the definition of hazing.

Under Republic Act. No. 11053, hazing would now include “physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant or member as part of an initiation rite or a requirement for continuing membership.” Penalties also became stiffer with violators facing reclusion perpetual and a P3 million fine.

But still, frat-related violence—ones that cause deaths—still continue. And because these cases still happen, the online community is calling to abolish fraternities altogether.

“Ano ba benefit ng fraternity other than brotherhood kineso? T*ng ina. May brotherhood bang ihehazing ka. Jeezus! Abolish frats,” one user said on Twitter.

“ABOLISH FRATERNITIES!!! How many more kids need to die?! TOXIC MASCULINITY AT ITS ABSOLUTE GROSSEST! ENOUGH!!!” another wrote.

“Ang laki nung paddle na ginamit kay John Matthew Salilig tapos 70 times ipinalo sa kanya? All for the sh*tty brotherhood. May all the suspects rot in jail. Abolish all the fraternities, they are murderers in the making,” one netizen added.

As former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II argued in 2017, frats cannot be banned entirely as Filipinos have the right to organize. But should this right be exploited to the point that they infringe on another person’s rights? When, in following their long-storied tradition of hazing, cause another person’s death?

Tradition be damned, is it true “brotherhood” to test someone’s unwavering loyalty with physical violence? If former president Rodrigo Duterte, a fratman himself, admitted that hazing cannot be eliminated, shouldn’t frats be banned altogether to end these abuses?

As UP Babaylan said in its statement on John Matthew’s death, “For as long as fraternities are allowed to exist, they will inflict their sexist and violent culture upon our society.”

The family John Matthew left behind continues to seek justice for his demise. Adamson University and Tau Gamma Phi’s Imus chapter have issued statements, with the latter stating it condemns his death and that the incident is against the ideals of the fraternity.

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Source: we the pvblic