Sunday, July 18, 2021

Hazing

Luisa Sandoval writes here about hazing in the Philippines. The latest incident in a growing list involves the country's Merchant Marine Academy. Excerpt:

Jonash Bondoc, 19, was found unresponsive in the school restroom early morning of July 6. Initial findings showed that he suffered serious head injuries after he was allegedly punched by Midshipman Cadet 2nd class Jomel Gloria during a “traditional recognition” of Mindanao’s underclass cadets.

Such unfortunate incidents show how the culture of violence prevails and is normalized in police and military academies, according to student activist and campaign coordinator of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) Coleen Mañibo.

“Cadets begin to imbibe fascism this early, instead of embodying their mandate of serving and protecting the Filipino people. It has become so easy for them to be violent towards ordinary people,” said Mañibo in a phone interview.

The country passed an Anti-Hazing Act in 2018 but implementing regulations have still not been issued. 

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