Mandaluyong bans frats in schools

Alarmed over rising cases of street fights and killings involving members of fraternities, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. moved yesterday to ban such groups in the city.

"It is now time to put an end to this senseless killings brought about by fraternity wars or ‘unreasonable’ forms of hazing," said Abalos. The young mayor asked the City Council yesterday to pass an ordinance banning fraternities in city schools and prohibiting students from joining such groups.

Abalos’ move was in response to the request of concerned parents and teachers seeking a stop to activities of fraternities inside and outside school campuses during a meeting with officials and members of the board of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA)."We condemn hazing in any form or manner and banning students from joining such group could help avert any untoward incidents," explained Abalos.

Abalos, who will serve his second term starting July 1, instructed school officials to monitor students forming fraternities and report them to the local police for proper disposition.

"Our utmost concern is to protect the lives and welfare of the students and also take away the worries of parents and teachers as well," Abalos said, adding that fraternity wars in schools and in the streets are greatly affecting other students religiously attending their classes.

He cited the case of Ryan Nobleza, 19, of P. Cruz St., who was stabbed by a rival fraternity member, Jonathan Zeñarosa, 19, last June 5, on the second day of classes.

Superintendent Jose Gentiles, Mandaluyong City police chief said Nobleza was walking home when he and Zeñarosa, 19, engaged in a fistfight. Gentiles said cooler heads pacified the two but Zeñarosa returned minutes later with fellow fraternity members and mauled and stabbed Nobleza, who sustained three stab wounds in the body. Nobleza was treated by doctors at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

Resolution No. 3, Series of 2001, according to Abalos would also recognize the responsibility of city officials to safeguard and ensure the well-being of city residents, especially students. Other highlights of the resolution was the right of school officials and teachers to impose appropriate and reasonable disciplinary measures on offenses like carrying and concealing deadly weapons, fighting, causing injury to others and hazing in any form.

Aside from Abalos, other signatories of the resolution are School Division Superintendent Eden Diaz, Councilor Luisito Espiñosa, city council chairman on Education; City Treasurer William Marcelino, Arcadio de Vera, Mantep president Rita Riddle and Rosendo Subida, MFPTA president.