Senators on Thursday, Oct. 19, condemned the killing of 25-year-old criminology student Ahldryn Leary Bravante, who died during the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said all individuals involved in the hazing death of Bravante should spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

Zubiri called on the authorities to ensure the arrest and swift prosecution of those who took part in the initiation rites that resulted in the brutal death of the student.

He said the latest incident of fraternity violence was appalling as it happened barely eight months after 22-year-old John Matthew Salilig met his tragic death during the welcoming rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

At least 12 members of the same fraternity were said to be behind Bravante’s death, including four who were already in police custody.

“This senseless death of another young student due to barbaric fraternity tradition is not only enraging, but frustrating as well as it happened despite our efforts to put more teeth to the law against fraternity hazing,” Zubiri said.

The Senate chief had shepherded the passage of Republic Act (RA) No. 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, after Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, then a freshman law student at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), was beaten to death by members of Aegis Juris fraternity in 2017.

“Needless to say, the full force of the law must come down on those soulless people who killed the same person they claim to be as their brother,” Zubiri said.

“We should put an end to these acts of savagery. Let’s ensure that those who mock our system of justice would be made to account for their misdeeds,” he added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian reminded schools of their mandate to not only protect their students but also to launch information campaigns as stated under the anti-hazing law.

He underscored the imperative role of schools in safeguarding students from the perils of hazing, and emphasized the legal obligation for educational institutions to take proactive measures. 

“Taos-puso akong nakikiramay sa pamilya ni Aldrin Bravente. Kaisa ako ng pamilya sa paghahangad ng hustisya at nananawagan ako sa mga alagad ng batas na tiyaking mahuhuli ang mga sangkot sa pagkamatay ni Aldrin (My sincere condolences to the family of Aldrin Bravenete. I am one with the family in its pursuit for justice and I'm calling on law enforcers to make sure that they will capture those responsible for Aldrin's death),” said Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of the Anti-Hazing Act.

Police reports said Bravente underwent fraternity initiation rites in an abandoned Quezon City condominium. He died of hematoma at the Chinese General Hospital, where he was taken after the initiation rites. Four suspects are now under the custody of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Gatchalian said that the anti-hazing law prohibits all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens’ military training and citizens’ army training.

Under the law, information campaigns must be conducted at the start of every semester or trimester to students and parents or guardians about the consequences of hazing.

The law also imposes the penalty of reclusion perpetua and a fine of P3 million on those who actually planned or participated in hazing that result in death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada found it alarming that despite the strict law against hazing, a lot of individuals are still violating it. It's also infuriating, according to the senator, to know that there are members of the youth who have the courage to conduct wrong and dangerous acts in the name of so-called brotherhood.

"Hindi kailanman sukatan ang karahasan para maging bahagi ng anumang organisasyon (Violence is never a measure of being part of any organization)," he added.

Estrada also stated is imperative that the authorities conduct a thorough investigation into this case, and hold those responsible accountable.

He also mentioned that justice must be ensured for the victim and their family, and the full force of the law should be applied to prevent such senseless and tragic incidents from happening again.

"This tragic incident serves as a vivid reminder of the pressing need to eliminate hazing from our educational institutions and society. Our young people deserve nothing less," he said.