UP president says due process will be observed in frat hazing probe

University of the Philippines president Alfredo Pascual on Tuesday assured the university community that due process will be observed in the conduct of the investigation on a recent fraternity incident involving a UP Diliman student.

 

"I would like to assure the university community that the UP System administration will ensure that due process is observed in the conduct of the investigation and that the provisions of pertinent university rules and existing laws are enforced," Pascual said in a statement given to media.

 

The student, a minor, was severely injured after undergoing initiation rites recently with the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity.

 

UP Diliman, however, did not reveal the identity of the victim, citing the family's request for privacy.

 

In the same statement, Pascual said that while he is on official travel, he is "closely monitoring" the investigation undertaken by the UP Diliman administration, led by Chancellor Michael Tan.

 

"While I am currently on official travel, I am in constant touch with the concerned Vice Presidents of the UP System who are keeping watch and informing me of the developments in the on-going UP Diliman investigation," he said.

 

Citing UP's rules, he said the authority over matters related to the conduct of students and organizations falls within the jurisdiction of the Chancellor.

 

Pascual stressed UP is an institution "where not only the minds, but more importantly the hearts of our students, are imbued with the values of honor, excellence and service."

 

"Incidents of violence, done even for the noblest of reasons, have no place in UP. I hope this will be the last time that we shall hear of acts of violence that endanger the lives of our students and produce a climate of fear among the members of the university community and their families," he said.

 

An earlier report said Pascual is an alumnus of Upsilon Sigma Phi but Professor Popoy De Vera, UP vice president for public affairs, said in the report that this will not color the investigation into the incident.

PAEP-Statement on Frat Incident-final