College of St. Benilde vows justice in fatal hazing of student

The school of hazing victim Guillo Servando has vowed justice for his death, saying those involved will be given due process and "appropriate sanctions" if needed.

In a letter to students, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde president and chancellor Brother Dennis Magbanua said the school will "not stand idly by and let injustice happen."

"Facts are being unearthed to shed light on what has happened. Individuals who will be discovered to be involved with the recent hazing incident will be given due process and will be meted out appropriate sanctions," he said in his July 2 letter posted on the school's social media accounts.

Servando died last weekend after he and three fellow neophytes underwent fraternity initiation rites. The three other neophytes were hospitalized.

Police and the National Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. The caretaker of a "frat house" in Makati believed used as the venue of the hazing and a condominium building employee have surfaced to help in the investigation.

The fatal hazing has also triggered outrage as well as calls for the stricter implementation of the anti-hazing law.

Gangs, frats 'not welcome'

In his letter, Magbanua also said DLS-CSB does not condone any formation of fraternities. "They are not welcome here," he said.

He added such gangs are not allowed to use the school's name, since Brother Benilde is a saint "and we will never allow the name of Benilde to be tarnished by any group that uses violence in order to form a brotherhood."

Magbanua also called on the school's students to "just say 'no' to fraternities" when they are recruited.

"When you say no, you will be a victor and not a victim," he said.

In the meantime, Magbanua said the school is taking additional concrete steps to make the school more secure.

"Being Benildean is about: Brotherly Care, not Brutal Hazings; and Real Friendships, not Ruthless Frats. Therefore, Choose God not Gangs," he said.

The Lasallian community were urged to wear white on Thursday to show support to the Servando family in calling out justice for the CSB student.

CHED condemns hazing

For its part, the Commission on Higher Education, which supervises colleges and universities, condemned the death of Servando.

In a statement, CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan also lamented that "despite repeated memoranda to schools, death from similar incidents repeatedly occur."

"CHED reminds all private and public higher education institutions (HEIs) to be vigilant and institute measures to regulate recruitment and initiation activities. HEIs should be aware of their serious responsibilities and duties to strictly comply with the provisions of RA No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law," she said.

She also called on officials of DLS-CSB, and officers and members of the fraternity to "undertake with utmost urgency all proper and necessary measures to ferret out the truth, investigate with expediency the circumstances leading to the senseless loss of a young life."

"Perpetrators and persons responsible should be properly penalized," she said. —Joel Locsin and Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK, GMA News