Stopping the culture of fraternity violence
The Executive Committee of the University of the Philippines Diliman condemns in the strongest possible terms the senseless and highly deplorable death of Cris Anthony Mendez in what has been reported to be a fraternity hazing incident.
We share the grief and incalculable loss of the Mendez family. Cris Mendez was about to graduate from the National College of Public Administration and Governance, and was expected to graduate with honors. He was a consistent scholar and responsible student leader.
The University assures the public and the bereaved family that it will exert all efforts and spare no one to bring the truth to light. We extend our full cooperation to the authorities in order to identify all those who are responsible for this dastardly act and bring them to justice as swiftly as possible. We urge all who have any knowledge of this heinous crime to step forward to stand witness to the truth and affirm the value of human life. The Executive Committee calls in particular upon those who were directly or indirectly involved to find the moral courage to step forward and take responsibility for their actions.
UP Diliman is firmly resolved to intensify all efforts to change the culture of violence which, from time to time, rears its ugly head in the course of initiation rites and inter-fraternity conflicts. In addition to the current review being undertaken regarding the rules of student conduct and discipline, measures designed to promote harmonious relations among fraternities shall be encouraged and enhances. Moreover, long-term measures intended to foster a culture of peace and non-violence will be adopted.
(adopted by the UP Diliman Executive Committee at its Special Meeting held on September 5, 2007)