UP tightens security in Diliman campus

Policemen are keeping a tight watch over the University of the Philippines (UP) campus in Diliman as officials suspended the campaign period for student council elections over fears of an outbreak of fraternity-related violence in the wake of the Venturina murder case ruling handed down by a Quezon City court Thursday.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Ma. Theresa Jasmines issued a memorandum Friday moving the University Student Council elections from March 12 to March 15. The suspension of the campaign period, which was supposed to run from Feb. 25 to March 11, takes effect from March 1 to March 5.

Jasmines issued the memorandum to ease the tension between the Sigma Rho and the Scintilla Juris fraternities. This is the first time in many years that officials have taken such a measure to preempt the outbreak of fraternity-related violence on campus during the student elections period.

"We don’t want the outbreak of more violence on campus but this is a blessing in disguise," said law student Noel Villaroman, who is running for student council chairmanship under the new political party converge. "This gives us more time to reach out to students and discuss with them our programs," said Villaroman, who is an Alpha Phi Beta fraternity man.

Last Thursday, Quezon City Judge Jose Catral Mendoza sentenced to a jail term of 20 to 40 years five UP Scintilla Juris fraternity men for the murder of Sigma Rhoan Dennis Venturina during an outbreak of fraternity-related violence inside the Diliman campus in 1994. He acquitted five other Scintillans for lack of evidence.

Hours after the judge announced the verdict, Sigma Rhoan Marvin Gaerlan, who is running for a seat in the student council, complained that he was being harassed by Scintilla Juris members while he was on a room-to-room campaign at the old Arts and Sciences building. A few hours later, a shouting match ensued between members of the rival fraternities at the Palma Hall’s staircase.

The incumbent University Student Council, which is dominated by the ruling national democratic STAND-UP party, staged an indignation rally the next day, asking the two fraternities to refrain from violence. Michael Andrada, USC vice chairman, said fraternities have long lost their relevance because of campus violence.