Tau Gamma, Akrho sign peace pact

CEBU, Philippines - Two fraternity groups in Cebu signed an oath for peace yesterday afternoon at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

They signed similar agreements several times before but this time, the Tau Gamma Phi and the Alpha Kappa Rho are hoping to sustain their efforts.

Rico Osmeña, spokesperson of the Tau Gamma Phi-Cebu chapter, said they plan to create a communication center to adress concerns about their group members.

“There will be an official hotline where any comment or concern regarding the members of both groups will be catered,” Osmeña said in a phone interview.

Osmeña said yesterday’s signing of agreement stemmed from the shooting of Carl Vinson Apura in Carcar City a couple of weeks ago.

Apura was shot in the head by Jay Boy Lauron while attending a benefit dance. Lauron was arrested in Bohol and is now behind bars.

“What happened that time was, it was the Tau Gamma that was blamed and it could trigger violence among other chapters,” Osmeña said.

The signing was witnessed by Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, director of the CCPO.

For his part, Clarence Paul Oaminal, spokesperson of the Alpha Kappa Rho- Cebu chapter, said what they want is the sincerity of the other group and not on paper alone.

He said it was in 2004 when the same agreement was made and after a few months their vice president at that time was shot dead.

“Sincerity is what we need, they need to have control over their members,” Oaminal.

However, Oaminal added that they trust their new set of officers.

An official signing of peace pact will be made this June 15 which will be attended by officers of the two fraternities. – (FREEMAN)