By: Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) confirmed on Monday, September 19, that two college students fell victim to a violent hazing incident that occurred on Sunday, September 18, at Barangay Mandug, Davao City.
DCPO Spokesperson Police Major (PMaj.) Maria Teresita Gaspan shared that the victims were neophyte criminology students. One of them, aged 19, died as he succumbed to his injuries, while the other 18-year-old student survived but obtained serious injuries.
At 4:30 pm this afternoon, the University of Mindanao (UM) issued a statement on the alleged involvement of their 4th-year students from the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), who were members of the AKRHO Alpha Delta Chapter fraternity, in the hazing incident.
UM said it “strongly condemns the senseless and deplorable incident in the highest possible consternation and dismay, as the university is also offering its unqualified grief to the victims’ families.”
The university added that it has banned all fraternities since Republic Act No. 8049 was enacted, and such organizations and acts such as hazing go against its established core values.
UM further clarified that “AKRHO Alpha Delta fraternity IS NOT a recognized organization in the university, including all their illegal activities and roster of membership.”
“The hazing incident also happened outside of the campus premises of the university; it was deliberately and inconspicuously held in the far-flung barangay of Upper Mandug, Buhangin, Davao City. However, since they are students at the university, they bring disrepute to the name of the institution. The perpetrators disrespected the president’s strict instructions against hazing inside or outside the university,” UM added.
UM extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and vowed to provide them assistance.
“Let this incident serve as a grave warning to all concerned,” the university concluded in its statement,
Meanwhile, the eight students allegedly involved in the hazing incident are now under the custody of Mandug Polce Station.