Students hold walk vs frat violence

MANILA, Philippines - Students from different schools, unmindful of the torrential rains, joined the “Walk for Peace 2014” yesterday morning to condemn hazing and other forms of fraternity-related violence in the country.

The walk, which covered 3.4 kilometers, started from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and ended at the Bonifacio Shrine near the Manila city hall.  

The De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) community encouraged all students to join the walk, which it said was organized by the city government’s youth development and welfare bureau.

“Our message against hazing and other fraternity-related violence is clear,” the DLS-CSB community said. “The activity was prompted by the yearly deaths of students due to hazing and fraternity-related violence. The activity aims to deliver the message that hazing and fraternity-related violence have no place in Manila.”

DLS-CSB student Guillo Servando died in June after being beaten during fraternity initiation rites. 

Among those who attended the event were students from San Beda College. In 2012, San Beda student Marc Andre Marcos died from hazing in Cavite.