MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Diliman Legal Office (UP-DLO) has filed administrative charges before the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) against 12 officers and members of the Sigma Rho fraternity for misconduct in the form of hazing and lack of respect for university rules governing students.
The charges stemmed from the death of senior public administration student Cris Anthony Mendez, allegedly a hazing victim and a recruit of the campus organization.
The charges were filed amid rumors that another fraternity neophyte died while being treated at an undisclosed hospital after sustaining traumatic injuries in the upper and lower extremities like Mendez.
UP vice chancellor for Student Affairs Elizabeth Enriquez said that if found guilty, the students could face penalties ranging from suspension to expulsion depending on the gravity of the offense.
Enriquez said at least two more students might be included in the charges.
Confidential
She added that documents relating to the charges were confidential and university rules prevented her from disclosing these, particularly the names of the students involved.
“The documents are out of my hands and it is up to the SDT to assess the case,” she said, adding that the UP administration expected the tribunal to decide on the complaints quickly.
The three-person SDT, composed mostly of faculty members, will be chaired by lawyer Jonathan Sale. Two more members, a parent and a student, may be added “depending on the case.”
The 30-day preventive suspension against officers of the Sigma Rho fraternity is about to end, but Enriquez said the decision to extend the suspension would be up to the SDT.
“After the preventive suspension, the students will be allowed to attend their classes,” the vice chancellor said.
Rumors
Enriquez said rumors about another alleged hazing case have been spreading through text messages among students since Monday. Her office was still trying to verify the information. “If that is true, we also want to find out so we can take appropriate steps,” she said.
But she said the information could be a “red herring” and might be an attempt to confuse and muddle the ongoing administrative proceedings and police investigations on Mendez’ suspected hazing death.
It was learned that at least three “probable” names, purportedly of the latest neophyte to die from hazing, had been mentioned in certain student circles in UP.
Two names were dismissed as false, while the third was still being verified by the university registrar’s office.
The college where he was supposed to belong denied they had a student by that name.
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