Palace condoles with family of UP student implicated in hazing

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo holds a press briefing for the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on Monday, November 26, 2018, at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang. (Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday sympathized with family and friends of a University of the Philippines (UP) student and frat member who died after an exposé on the alleged hazing activities committed by him and other members against their neophyte.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo extended condolences but at the same time, respected the wish of student’s family for privacy.

“While we are aware of the request of his school and his family to keep the matter private, the Office of the President simply wishes to relay and express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, classmates, and loved ones of the deceased for the tragic loss,” Panelo said in a statement.

The Palace official, meanwhile, reminded the public to act kindly towards others especially in an age where technology has become more prevalent.

“We hope that this will serve as a gentle reminder to everyone to extend kindness, patience and understanding to all, regardless of the circumstances, especially as we are now in the age of interactive computer-mediated technology,” Panelo said.

Reports showed that an anonymous Twitter account posted screenshots of an alleged online conversation between supposed members of the UP Sigma Rho Fraternity exposing their hazing activities.

The UP Diliman administration said it would conduct an investigation into the incident.

Likewise, the UP Diliman Office of the Chancellor appealed to students, faculty, and staff to stop posting and forwarding social media messages related to the student’s death.

“Let us do this out of sense of decency and respect for the privacy of the family,” the UPD Office of the Chancellor statement read.

“Administrative action was initially initiated immediately after the hazing expose, towards the pursuit of justice for the hazing victims, and we will keep the public updated on these cases,” it added.