The Anti-Hazing Act of 2018

 The whole country was stunned with the news involving a student of Adamson University believed to be a victim of hazing.

The victim's name is John Matthew Salilig who went missing on February 18, 2023.  He attended the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi (Triskelion) according to the Laguna Provincial Police Office.  The autopsy of victim's body showed that he died from "severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities".  His body was bloated and in decomposition stage. Severe hematomas were noted on Salilig's body, particularly on his chest and thighs.

What is hazing?

As defined in Republic Act No. 11053 otherwise known as the "Anti-Hazing Act of 2018", hazing refers to any act that results in physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury inflicted on a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member as part of an initiation rite or practice made as a prerequisite for admission or a requirement for continuing membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization including, but not limited to, paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical and psychological health of such recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member.  This shall also include any activity, intentionally made or otherwise, by one person alone or acting with others, that tends to humiliate or embarass, degrade, abuse, or endanger, by requiring a recruit, neophyte, applicant, or member to do menial, silly, or foolish tasks.

What is the penalty in case of death?

The penalty of reclusion perpetua and a fine of Three million pesos (P3,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon those who actually planned or participated in the hazing if, as a consequence of the hazing, death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation results therefrom.

Sources: CNN Philippines and Republic Act No. 11053