University community takes actions to end FRV

By Christian Joshua D. Corcuera

Students of Adamson University call for the end of fraternity-related violence at the SV Facade last March 3, 2023. The movement was headed by the AUSG after the heinous act of the members of the Tau Gamma Phi that resulted to the death of Adamsonian John Matthew Salilig.

BY CHARLES DOMINIC L. UBANA

resumption of face-to-face classes was successful.

“Noong foundation week, ang dami nating activities, pero after that wala naman kaming [COVID] surge,” Dr. Ang said. “Wala naman naging effect ang institutional activities,” she continued.

Although she acknowledged that physical distancing is difficult to follow, she noted that most students still wear face masks within the campus premises.

Meanwhile, Atty. Navallasca emphasized that the University is prepared to adjust the teaching set-up to ensure

Various offices of Adamson University are taking steps to prevent fraternity-related violence (FRV), following the case of John Matthew Salilig, the Chemistry student who died last February 18, due to alleged hazing.

Atty. Jan Nelin Navallasca, Director of the Office for Student Affairs (OSA), emphasized that AdU does not recognize membership in fraternities even before the Salilig case.

“That is in our student manual, and that is also discussed during orientation for new students, and of course, in some NSTP classes, ROTC, and we have the reiteration seminar about anti-hazing,” Navallasca explained.

Likewise, the OSA will tighten its policy to avoid the case of Salilig from happening again.

“We had already a meeting with the deans and principals that they will do their share in monitoring students and their the safety of students from COVID-19.

Last December 13, 2022, the University President, Fr. Marcelo Manimtim, issued a memorandum regarding the resumption of full inperson classes.

“As the need arises and as the situation calls,” Fr. Manimtim wrote, “the University may use Hyflex Learning as an alternative modality at any time during the 2nd semester,” he ended.

A possible change of modality is not only to maximize everyone’s safety, but also to prevent interruptions on learning activities,” the lawyer said.

While fraternities are not allowed inside the University, there are currently 45 recognized student organizations (RSO) which Adamsonians can join, according to the OSA Director.

“We will also tap our RSOs and also through dissemination from the beginning of the class, during the orientation we will have a massive campaign emphasizing again [that] hazing has no place in the university,” Navallasca mentioned.

Before the Salilig case, the Adamson University Student Government (AUSG) informed new students about RSOs, according to AUSG President Patrick Patiño.

The OSA Director warned professors who are actively involved in recruiting students to fraternities, though he acknowledged that mere membership in such organizations “cannot be used to penalize or deprive a person of his or her employment” due to other factors. because of the right to form unions or associations in the Philippine Constitution.

For instance, a strike last March 6 and 7 against the government’s plan to phaseout traditional jeepneys caused classes to shift back to online temporarily. Students reported back to school physically on March 13.

Last year, COVID-19 is no longer included among the top 10 causes of death in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. With a vast majority of Filipinos vaccinated against the disease, cases of COVID-19 in the country have not spiked again so far.

“If the professors have nothing to do [...] then they can be at peace,” Navallasca said.

“But if they are found abetting, supporting, organizing, then they will face the rules and policies of the university,” he warned.

Responding to criticisms that AdU is not taking enough steps against FRV, the OSA Director remarked that, “the school does not teach violence, we teach about respect for human rights, human dignity, charity.” He added that, “generally, Adamsonians are good. Of course may kasabihan, in a forest there is always a snake.”

Engr. Virgilio Lomotan, Director of the Physical Facilities and General Services Office (PFGSO), said that the Campus Security and Safety (CSS) is