EVEN with the law forbidding the practice of hazing in the country, Filipinos from time to time still wake up to news of grisly hazing deaths, mostly of university students desperately wanting to earn a spot in a fraternity to the point of losing their lives.
Based on reports and records from the Supreme Court, Senate, and House of Representatives, there had been a significant number of deaths caused by hazing since 1954, the year that the first hazing death was recorded.
Even after Republic Act 11053 or the amended Anti-Hazing Law Act of 2018 was passed, incidents of hazing deaths still happen.
Should the law be amended yet again to give it more teeth or is the problem in the implementation?
Let us remember some of the students who lost their lives to hazing.
- John Mathew Salilig (2023)
John Mathew Salilig, 24, is the latest alleged hazing victim in the country. The chemical engineering student from Adamson University went missing reportedly after attending the initiation rites of Tau Gamma Phi (Triskelion) fraternity in Biñan, Laguna.
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Days later, he was found buried at a vacant lot in Imus Cavite following the confession of one of the suspects in his death.
Apart from demanding justice, his family also called for the abolition of fraternities in all educational institutions.
- Darwin Dormitorio (2019)
Philippine Military Academy Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio died on September 18, 2019 due to injuries sustained from hazing, as reported by Baguio Police. This was confirmed by a medico-legal officer of the Philippine National Police in the city.
Autopsy on his body revealed that blunt force trauma caused the death of the 20-year-old from Cagayan de Oro City.
He was rushed to the PMA Station Hospital but was declared dead about an hour later.
- Horacio Castillo III (2017)
Among the most controversial hazing deaths was that of University of Sto. Tomas College of Law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, who died in injuries believed to be inflicted by members of the Aegis Jvris fraternity.
On September 17, 2017, Atio was found lying on the pavement covered with a blanket at the corner of H. Lopez Boulevard and Infanta Street in Balut, Tondo, Manila.
He was found by John Paul Sarte Solano, a medical technologist who claimed he was on his way to buy a cigarette when he came upon Castllo. But he later confessed that he was actually a member of the fraternity.
Castillo was brought to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, and his parents were later informed that his body was at a funeral home in Manila.
His body bore bruises and cigarette burns, and also had candle drippings all over.
Massive public outrage ensued, which led to the passage of the stronger Anti-Hazing Law.
Ten Aegis Jvris fratmen were charged with Castillo’s murder.
- Christian dela Cruz (2015)
Among the youngest victims of alleged hazing was 14-year-old high school student Christian dela Cruz from Bulacan.
According to reports, the Grade 8 student of Fortunato Halili National Agricultural School was said to have died due to extreme swelling of the right abdomen and liver damage.
The incident prompted then-Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian to call for the approval of a stronger anti-hazing law.
- Anthony Javier (2015)
Anthony Javier, an 18-year-old college student from the Western Mindanao State University allegedly died due to hazing rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
Police arrested seven members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity who allegedly took part in the initiation rites. They were mostly between 18 to 19 years old.
- Ariel Inofre (2014)
Ariel Inofre was said to have attended initiation rites for Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in Quezon in 2014.
After sustaining injuries, he was rushed to a hospital in Naga City, but died on November 2, 2015 due to an infection and kidney failure.
7. Guillo Servando (2014)
Guillo Servando was just 18 and a sophomore at De La Salle College of St. Benilde when he died in 2014, after the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
According to reports, the hazing rites took place at a condominium unit along Taft Avenue where one of the fraternity members resided.
Servando was also seen on closed-circuit television footage collapsing along the hallway before fraternity members carried him away.
