The death of yet another young student in the name of “brotherhood” should compel more decisive action against one of the most senseless and brutal traditions of fraternities.

The brutality suffered by 19-year-old maritime student Mark Kenneth Alcedo last March 1 in Cavite, reportedly inflicted by members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, has once again pushed hazing into the headlines.

According to authorities, Alcedo was brought to a hospital by individuals who initially claimed he had been a victim of a hit-and-run accident. The truth soon emerged: Alcedo had suffered blunt force trauma during a fraternity initiation rite. He was declared dead on arrival.

Four fraternity members have surrendered to police. The suspects reportedly identified eight more suspects and 12 other persons of interest. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has met with the national leadership of Tau Gamma, who he said promised the surrender of all other suspects by today.

The latest tragedy continues to raise a troubling question: why does hazing persist despite decades of public outrage, painful lessons, and the strengthened anti-hazing law?

Part of the answer lies in the psychological pull of fraternities and similar organizations. Many young people join seeking identity, empowerment, and a sense of belonging. The promise of brotherhood can be appealing during the uncertain years of youth. But when that promise is tied to violence, it becomes something darker.

The Philippines has already paid a terrible price for this culture. In 1991, Ateneo law freshman Leonardo 'Lenny' Villa died during violent initiation rites of Aquila Legis fraternity. His death led to the passage of RA 8049, the original Anti-Hazing Law I authored when I was senator.

More than two decades later, the nation was again shocked by the death of Horacio 'Atio' Castillo III in 2017, exposing how deeply entrenched the problem remained. The tragedy led to the passage of RA 11053 which imposes tougher penalties.

Yet despite tough legislation, hazing continues. It’s obvious that tougher laws cannot really make people desist from committing crimes. But here’s the truth: Certainty of arrest and conviction, or a swift and impartial justice system can be the best deterrent to crimes.

Police, prosecutors, judges, jails and the community, or the so-called five pillars of the justice system must work efficiently to identify, apprehend, prosecute, convict and incarcerate offenders. An efficient criminal justice system can indeed deter criminality.

Thus, Sec. Remulla’s effort to exert pressure that could lead to the surrender of all those involved in the crime is notable. It is an important step toward making the criminal justice system work.

Police investigators must uncover the truth behind incidents often hidden by secrecy and fabricated stories — as what initially happened in the Alcedo case. Prosecutors must build strong cases despite the clandestine nature of hazing rituals.

“The law is rigorous in penalizing the crime of hazing,” the Supreme Court declared in its July 1, 2015 ruling (G.R. No. 209464) which upheld the conviction of Dandy Dungo and Gregorio Sibal Jr., members of Alpha Phi Omega, for the fatal hazing of University of the Philippines student Marlon Villanueva.

The High Court acknowledged that hazing had long plagued educational institutions and communities, prompting lawmakers to enact RA 8049 in 1995. The Court concluded that its provisions provide strong tools for prosecution.

The decision also recognized the challenges posed by the secretive nature of hazing rituals. Because initiation rites are often concealed, prosecutors frequently rely on circumstantial evidence to establish the chain of events leading to a victim’s death.

In the Villanueva case, the Court ruled that the “unbroken chain of events” presented by the prosecution left no doubt about the accused’s participation in the hazing. The High Court expressed hope that the ruling would guide judges and lawyers in applying the Anti-Hazing Law.

With such guidance from the judiciary, courts across the country now have a stronger foundation for securing convictions in hazing cases. The message must be clear to every fraternity member contemplating violent initiation rites: hazing is not a harmless tradition. It is a crime — and those responsible can and will be punished.

Still, the fight against hazing cannot rely solely on punishment after tragedy strikes. Prevention remains the greater goal. This is where the Commission on Higher Education plays a crucial role.

Under Presidential Proclamation No. 907 (2020), CHED is tasked to “lead, coordinate, and supervise” the nationwide observance of National Hazing Prevention Week every second week of February. The goal is to strengthen the campaign against hazing and other forms of fraternity violence.

But such observance should not be reduced to a symbolic annual event. As the government body overseeing higher education institutions, CHED is uniquely positioned to shape campus culture across the country.

Making students aware of the evils of hazing — what it is, why it is illegal, and what the consequences are for those who get involved — ought to be a continuing, year-round CHED activity.

As I’ve said in previous columns, true brotherhood is forged in shared ideals, not shared trauma. Fraternities can transform initiation rites from violent ordeals into positive undertakings — reforestation drives, cleaning esteros, ang community-building projects. Let shared service, not shared suffering, become the badge of brotherhood. ([email protected])