2nd Week of February Declared by President Duterte as “National Hazing Prevention Week”
President Rodrigo Duterte declared the second week of February of every year as “National Hazing Prevention Week”.
On Friday (February 28, 2020), President Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 907 declaring every second week of February as “National Hazing Prevention Week”. The move has been made to value the dignity of every person and to guarantee respect for human rights.
The proclamation aims to strengthen the campaign against hazing and to put an end to other fraternity-related violence. The act prohibits all forms of violence in sororities, fraternities, and school activities such as Citizens’ Military Training and Citizens’ Army Training.
President Duterte instructed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to lead and supervise annual campaigns against hazing. He also ordered other agencies, local government units, and schools to participate in the yearly observance of this program.
“To address the continuous occurrence, as well as the dire consequences of this act of violence, there is a need for the active participation of governmental organizations to increase awareness of the importance and value of hazing prevention,” Duterte said.
The law prohibits paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, weather exposure, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any brutal treatment or forced physical activity, which is considered as hazing acts.
Offenders who will participate in hazing activities that will result in death or mutilation could face criminal charges of reclusion perpetua and would be fined of P3 million.
What can you say about this law? Just feel free to leave your comments and reactions to this article.