Frat recruiters face expulsion

Department of Education Regional Director Carolino Mordeno has warned public elementary and high school students that they would face expulsion if they are directly involved in the recruitment of fraternity members.

The warning came due to the rising tide of violence involving fraternities that have resulted to a number of deaths among youth in Cebu. Most prominent is the rivalry between the Tau Gamma Phi and Alpha Kappa Rho, which has already claimed some lives.

Mordeno said that he has instructed all school principals in the region about the department's policy against joining fraternities.

Mordeno directed school officials to comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8049, or the Anti-Hazing Act. The law provides strict penalties for the conduct of hazing and other initiation rites associated with fraternities, sororities and other similar organizations.

He also stressed the policies regarding fraternities and sororities and the prohibition of hazing in elementary and secondary schools through DepED Order No. 7, series of 2006.

However, most recruiters are not school insiders, Mordeno said.

In the wake of these incidents, Mordeno said that DepEd has coordinated with the police to increase their visibility near the schools to discourage the fraternities from recruiting new members.

Increased police visibility is not only meant to ward off the possible fraternity recruitment, but also to secure the safety of students and the people as well, he said.

Mordeno also urged school authorities to take a more active role in preventing juvenile violence in schools.

Parents must also do their share in watching over their kids and ensuring that they are well and safe.

Mordeno said, they will coordinate with other government agencies in the campaign against fraternities in the secondary schools.

The DepEd will coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the monitoring and control the proliferation of banned organizations.

School authorities are also encouraged to promote co-curricular and extra-curricular organizations and activities that can serve as more wholesome and productive alternatives to fraternities and sororities. - Jasmin R. Uy