By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is investigating the death of a Grade 10 student allegedly due to hazing in San Enrique, Negros Occidental on September 9.
In a statement, CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the CHR always held a strong stance against hazing and its consequences.
“While online schooling has been the norm during the pandemic, we remind schools and higher education institutions that they remain duty-bound to uphold and protect the rights of their students,” de Guia said.
She stressed that hazing is a direct violation of their student’s right to safety, security, and a threat to their well-being.
Based on police investigation, the Grade 10 student aged 18 died five days after he was reportedly paddled by three members of a fraternity, as part of the group’s initiation to its new member.
The male teenager was initially recruited in March this year but did not undergo initiation as he was still a minor that time.
The initiation happened on September 4 after they had a drinking session at the victim’s house on September 3 which happened to be his 18th birthday.
The victim was able to narrate to his parents and identify the persons allegedly involved in the initiation before he passed away.
The incident was reported by the parents on September 11, prompting the police to investigate and later led them to the three persons last seen with the victim before the incident happened.
Police also recovered the paddle allegedly used in the initiation.
“As we investigate this incident, we call upon the Department of Education (DepEd) in line with their Child Protection Policy to take cognizance of this incident,” de Guia said.
The CHR also urged schools, higher education institutions, and the security sector to ensure proper and complete implementation of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 and to practice vigilance in monitoring the country’s schools and universities.
The CHR expressed its condolences to the victim’s family and his loved ones.
