ASPIRING Criminology students should bear in mind that the profession they desire aims to determine the root causes of criminal behavior, and develop an effective way to prevent it-- and not the other way around.

These were the statements made by the immediate past president of the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Dr. Manuel Jaudian following the fourteen 4th-year college Criminology students and members of Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) fraternity faced charges of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

"It's not about indulging in criminal acts themselves. It's moot and academic and quite absurd they should be reminded," said Jaudian.

Jaudian, who is also dean at large of the criminology program of the Phinma Education Network in Cagayan de Oro, emphasized this point after the death of a 19-year-old criminology student of the Unversity of Mindanao (UM) who underwent hazing rites on Sunday.

The hazing death was identified as a certain August Ceazar Saplot and sent another to a hospital for injuries.

Saplot was found dead at Purok Santo Nino, Sison Village, Upper Mandug in Davao's Buhangin District on September 18.

"This is sad news considering that we have already the anti-hazing law which is very clear,"
Jaudian said in an interview with this paper's former editor-in-chief Herbie Gomez, adding that it has been taught already by the Criminology professors.

Jaudian said what was confusing was the fact that the fatal hazing suspects are already graduating students of Criminology.

"The course is a prelude to becoming a police officer but it's worrisome that these students were not able to internalize what Criminology is all about," said Jaudian.

He said they still initiated a violent hazing that somebody got killed.

Jaudian said the fraternity issue is still a serious matter because the anti-hazing law has not always been abided by.

"There are still people who would dare to challenge it. And though it is an isolated case right now, it is a must to revisit our regulations on a matter regarding fraternities," he said.

Eight of the hazing suspects were already arrested and have pressed hazing charges against eight of 14 suspects, namely Jeremiah Obedencia Moya, Leji Wensdy Ofecio Quibuyen, John Lloyd Garciano Sumagang, Harold Joshua Sagaral Flauta, John Steven Baltazar Silvosa, Ramel John Potenciano Gamo, Gilbert Escodero Asoy Jr., and Roseller Andres Gaentano.

The said suspects are now in the custody of the Mandug Station 3 of the Davao city police office.

Still, at large and facing similar charges are Ryan James Ranolo, Harold Gocotano, John Bacacao,
Cherie Norico, Kadjo Matobato, and George M. Regalado.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the largest private and non-sectarian university in Southern Philippines expressed disappointment that the incident involved its students, even as it vowed to help investigators in building a case against the suspects.

"The illegal hazing incident was perpetuated by these students who are all members of the AKRHO Alpha Delta Chapter fraternity,” read part of the UM statement.

Incidentally, the former president's son Sebastian " Baste" Duterte is also an AKRHO fratman.

In the last elections, he campaigned for the group to support his candidacy when he ran and won as Davao City mayor after the reign of his sister Sarah, who became vice president of the country.

Baste even made a finger sign as he belted a "fraternity line" in showing his affiliation with AKRHO sorority and brotherhood.

“In the light of the ongoing investigations, UM strongly condemns the senseless and deplorable incident in the highest possible consternation and dismay, as the university is also offering its unqualified grief to the victims’ families,” the statement said.

UM said it banned all fraternities since the enactment of the anti-hazing law and was “sternly intolerant of fraternities and hazing which only foster the culture of violence, which is an anathema to the core values and conducive learning environment that the university upholds since 1946.”

The UM also said AKRHO is not a recognized organization in the university, “including all their illegal activities and roster of membership.”

But it is with deep regrets, the university said, that some UM students have brought “disrepute to the name of the institution.”