Declaring hazing a heinous crime unnecessary, ex-AFP chief Santiago says

There is no need to declare hazing a heinous crime as existing laws are in place to address this form of violence, former Armed Forces chief Dionisio Santiago said  Wednesday.

"Para sa akin unnecessary. May batas ka eh, if the elements are present sa mga ginawa ng kadete, apply mo 'yun," Santiago said at a media forum, where he also shared his cadetship experiences in the military school.

"Sa academy naman you are prepared. Ako victim ako. Seven stitches ako but I was not intended to be harmed, walang intention," said Santiago, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1970.

"Kasi pineprepare kami physically and mentally eh. Everything is done for a reason," he added.

Santiago, however, said that the cruelty which Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio suffered from was different.

"Hindi kasama 'yun. Talagang mayroon lang mga ingenious. Minsan naka-cariño brutal, 'yung cariño nagiging brutal, 'yun ang masama kaya mina-manage 'yan eh, tinitimpla 'yan," Santiago said.

Dormitorio died last month after suffering from hazing-inflicted injuries inside the PMA.

President Reodrigo Duterte also admitted that he had been hospitalized for three days because of hazing and acknowledged that the practice is difficult to eradicate.

“Hindi mo talaga matanggal ‘yan unless you ban fraternity for all time, make it a criminal offense to join a fraternity. But that would raise so many constitutional issues. Hindi mo talaga mapigilan ‘yan,” he said. 

Previously, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that hazing should be classified as a heinous crime.

Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez also said the House of Representatives will conduct a hearing to facilitate a measure that would declare it as such.

The existing Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 imposes a penalty of reclusion perpetua and a fine of P3 million upon those with direct involvement in hazing incidents that result to death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation. — RSJ, GMA News