Senators called on authorities on Wednesday, March 4 to launch a manhunt on the suspects who brutally killed a freshman maritime student in Cavite supposedly through initiation rites.

Primary suspect in the alleged hazing incident that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old maritime student surrenders to the authorities on March 3 (Photo from Mayor Jonjon Ferrer/MANILA BULLETIN)

“I condemn, in the strongest terms, the recent hazing death of 19-year-old Mark Kenneth Alcedo, a first-year maritime student in Cavite. This is brutality disguised as brotherhood, and it has no place in any school, any organization, any community,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said.

“But we cannot just keep condemning while lives are lost. Hindi pwedeng puro statement lang, tapos mauulit na naman (We can’t just rely on statements, then it will happen again). We also cannot keep calling for heads to roll as if outrage alone is a policy,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri also said schools should be held accountable in the case of Alcedo. Alcedo’s father, Jun, has expressed belief that his son was “intimidated” into joining a fraternity, remembering his son had vowed to never join one.

“Schools must also be held accountable. The Anti-Hazing Act already places duties on schools to monitor, prevent and act on initiation-related risks.

“Kaya ang tanong dito, ano ang safeguards ng paaralan, nasunod ba ang reporting and monitoring, at may malinaw bang sistema para pigilan ang ganitong pangyayari bago pa humantong sa trahedya (So the question here is, what are the school's safeguards, has reporting and monitoring been followed, and is there a clear system to prevent this kind of incident before it leads to tragedy)?” Zubiri pointed out.

“Prevention must be louder than reaction. This time, we need to re-educate students about the real effects of hazing, not just the legal penalties, but the trauma, the fear, the injuries and the lives that never get their second chance. There must be sustained campaign against hazing in schools and universities, and schools should be required to do it, documented, periodic and enforced, not just a one-time seminar after a tragedy,” the senator said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also strongly condemned the alleged hazing incident: “Nakakagalit na sa kabila ng malinaw na pagbabawal nito sa ilalim ng Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, patuloy pa rin ang ganitong mga karahasan. Marami ang hindi pa rin natututo sa kasaysayan (It’s outrageous that despite its clear prohibition under the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, such acts of violence continue. Many still do not learn from history).”

“I am urging law enforcement authorities to act swiftly. Hanapin, panagutin, at kasuhan ang lahat ng sangkot (Find, hold accountable, and prosecute all those involved). They should face the full force of the law,” he said.

“Nakikiramay ako sa naiwang pamilya ng biktima at nakikiisa ako sa kanilang panawagan ng hustisya (I sympathize with the victim's bereaved family and I join in their call for justice),” the senator added.

Sen. Joel Villanueva also denounced the incident saying violence, especially hazing, has no place in a civilized society.

“Wala pong puwang sa isang sibilisadong lipunan o anumang samahan ang karahasan, lalo na sa pamamagitan ng hazing. Taos puso po tayong nakikiramay sa pamilya ni Mark Kenneth. Kaisa niyo po ako sa pagkamit ng hustisya para sa karumal-dumal na krimen na sinapit niya (There is no place in a civilized society or any organization for violence, especially through hazing. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mark Kenneth. I stand with you in achieving justice for the heinous crime that befell him),” Villanueva said.

“We call on our authorities to hunt down all those involved in this heinous act. Our society will never tolerate hazing incidents especially when it leads to untimely deaths of our youth,” he stressed.