UP Diliman probes alleged frat hazing

MANILA, Philippines — The administration of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City is looking into an alleged hazing incident involving a fraternity.

While no UP Diliman student has been implicated in the photos and videos that circulated on social media, chancellor Fidel Nemenzo said the university is investigating the matter.

“UP Diliman condemns and reiterates its stand against fraternity-related violence,” Nemenzo said on Thursday.

“Students who are proven to have violated the Student Code and the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 will be held accountable,” he added.

Earlier, the UP Diliman student council asked university officials to look into the photos and videos of an alleged fraternity initiation activity.

“Since the images and information contained in the account cannot be verified, we are requesting for a fact-finding investigation,” read the student council’s letter to Rosalio Aragon Jr., chairman of UP Diliman’s Office of Student Ethics.

In 2018, Congress passed Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act following the death of University of Sto. Tomas law student Horacio Castillo III in 2017.

The law prohibits all forms of hazing and imposed graver penalties on violators.