The recent brutal hazing that resulted into the untimely death of 22 year- old Horacio Castillo, a freshman law student of UST, woke us all up like it were another H-Bomb unloaded in Hiroshima.
The circumstances appeared the same, like in many previous deaths that arose out of traditional initiation rites.
A young neophyte invited to join Aegis Juris, a fraternity group at UST law school, eagerly came for the ceremonial hazing in the hope that he would successfully join an elite group who would help and guide him on his way to achieving a law degree.
In effect, that was Atio’ (his nickname) reminder to his parents who were initially torn between allowing their boy to join or not on the fateful day.
He never came back alive.
Hazing is prohibited by law. It is sadistic, plain and simple.
But regardless, universities and colleges nationwide allow fraternities to exist and even proliferate. (Even those in the secondary levels of education are now recruiting members who have turned into gangs.) The practice of inflicting painful blows to neophytes undergoing initiation is conveniently ignored by school authorities until somebody dies and the scandal explodes in the media.
Mind you, these Greek-lettered student societies have spawned several alumni into national leaders who utilize their frat connections to establish a nation-wide network for political purposes.
The “connect here, connect that” culture enabled many ambitious men and women to aspire for high elective positions. As you will have observed by now, affiliation with a fraternity (or sorority) is not by itself bad but can be considered as a progressive step towards fulfilling a college career and a prosperous business connection.
Several lawmakers are now thinking of repealing the old law against hazing (I forgot the Republic Act number supposedly authored by former senator Joey Lina). They say (again) that it doesn’t have enough teeth to prevent deaths caused by the “barbaric physical infliction of blows on the neophyte.”
Just three years ago, another death caused by hazing created a big stir. But when the din and dust of the scandal subsided, everything was swept under the rug.
Have you forgotten the explosion that caused the amputation of an aspiring law student some years back while she was among friends cheering for their school’s bar examinees?
If my recollection is correct, reports cited a member of a rival fraternity who threw a grenade into the crowd. Again, the incident glowingly exposed the enmity and fierce rivalry among student groups professing to foster brotherhood and unity. I do not now recall whether the culprit was finally caught and convicted.
So, another young life was snuffed before it blossomed into fulness. Another suffering father and mother are crying for justice. And if ever anyone is sent to jail and punished, it will not bring Horacio back to life.
If a solution – a permanent one at that – is to be offered, I would strongly suggest that our legislators and school authorities completely ban fraternities in their respective campuses. No ifs or buts. Just a permanent ban.
But many will not agree, especially those who have already planted their seeds extensively. They will forcefully argue that the death of one neophyte does not necessarily mean all fraternities are cruel and bad.
This has been their argument and however lame it may be this has been allowed by logic to prevail.
But I counter: When is the next death by hazing come again?
I am pretty sure, one of these not too remote days, another death by hazing will come about although I’d hasten to add “Heaven forbid.”
Take this from Bertrand Russell. He wrote: “The infliction of cruelty with a good conscience is a delight to moralists. That is why they invented Hell.” (email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Matthew 6:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
