PNP seeks meet with DepEd, CHED over frat wars, hazing

In the wake of a bombing that marred last Sunday’s Bar exams in Manila, the Philippine National Police will meet with education officials to keep closer tabs on fraternities and sororities. Radio dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported Friday that the PNP also called on elders of such school-based organizations to keep tabs on their affiliations and "guide" the present members. At least 47 people were injured in Sunday’s incident, which Manila Police District investigators initially traced to a fraternity war. PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said police officials are arranging meetings with officers of the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to discuss the matter. He said the PNP will also bring up the issue of hazing with the education officials during the meeting.

The DepEd supervises private and public elementary and high schools, while CHED supervises colleges and universities. Cruz said the PNP expects to hammer out more detailed guidelines on the discipline of fraternity members at public gatherings like the Bar exams. On the other hand, he appealed anew to fraternity officials and alumni to constantly guide incumbent officers and members to prevent "misunderstandings" with other groups. — RSJ, GMANews.TV