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| A policeman guards a rally, symbolizing security or the lack of it. Photo courtesy of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog. |
19 December 2012
UP Diliman CSSP files case vs Alpha Phi Beta, Alpha Sigma fraternities
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) Student Council filed earlier this morning with the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) a formal complaint against Alpha Phi Beta (APB) and Alpha Sigma. The complaint cited fraternity rumble as defined in the University’s Revised Rules and Regulations Governing Fraternities, Sororities, and Student Organizations. The violation is punishable by expulsion.
Complainants CSSP Dean Michael Tan and the CSSP Student Council used as basis last week’s violent confrontation between the two fraternities at Alpha Sigma’s tambayan in Palma Hall. It is alleged that seven members of APB walked into the said tambayan to confront members of Alpha Sigma. The confrontation eventually turned violent, with frat men from both sides injured. Several students witnessed the incident.
“Safety of students is of paramount concern for the CSSP Student Council. During the incident, many students feared that they might be caught in the rumble,” said Carlo Brolagda, Chairperson of the CSSP Student Council.
“The CSSP Student Council has been firm in its position against any form of fraternity-related violence,” declared Brolagda. “It is high time that we end the culture of impunity among fraternities in our university. This is merely the first step towards ensuring that violent fraternities do not go unpunished. In future incidents, we will be more than willing to again file cases.”
University Student Council Chair Heart Diño, who expressed support for the case filed, stressed that student leaders who are members of APB and Alpha Sigma must be held accountable by the students. “It is ironic that frat men student leaders claim to promote student welfare and at the same time condone their own fraternities’ acts of barbarism and violence. The student body cannot and will not let this pass,” Diño asserted. Earlier in her term, the USC Chair emphasized her zero tolerance policy against fraternity-related violence.
Under the rules, the SDT is expected to conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine probable cause. Should the complaint be considered by the Tribunal, hearings will follow with lawyers from the Diliman Legal Office in the prosecution. The case will move forward in January next year, according to the SDT.
Along with the complaint filed was a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs requesting orders of preventive suspension against the fraternities’ heads. #