Senator Panfilo Lacson says there is no need for the Senate to investigate the hazing death of Philippine Military Academy cadet Darwin Dormitorio because what happened to him was a clear violation of the Anti-Hazing Law as amended.
At the same time, the senator, a member of the PMA Class 1971, said cadets today should be aware of the existing laws against hazing and “be creative” in disciplining their underclassmen.
“While it is tragic that 4th Class Cadet Dormitorio is now dead because of hazing, I cannot feel but pity those who are involved in the hazing simply because they won’t only face administrative sanctions but they face a potential imprisonment of 40 years,” Lacson said in mix of English and Filipino.
Lacson recalled that during his time in the PMA, those found guilty of hazing only faced dismissal or suspension. But due to amendments to the Anti-Hazing Law, they face up to 40 years in prison.
“Now it’s different, it carries capital punishment,” he said.
He urged cadets to “go with the flow” and think of new, legal ways to discipline their underclassmen.
“Hazing is no longer allowed and they should avoid physical contact,” the senator said. He then helpfully suggested that the law allows other forms of discipline for military and police training.
What the senator did not say, however, is how more than 20 years since the Anti-Hazing Law was passed, there has been only a single conviction for hazing.
Nor does the senator say why hazing continues behind closed doors despite the harsher penalties provided by the amended law.
Do these two conditions suggest a flaw in the legislation or a failure on the part of the authorities to carry out the law properly?
Surely this question deserves further investigation before the next unfortunate hazing victim shows up dead.
At the same time, there seems to be something almost wistful in the senator’s recollection of his days in the PMA, when the barbaric tradition of beating underclassmen senseless was disciplined by mere suspension or dismissal.
While stating clearly that such practices are no longer legal, the senator then suggests cadets find a way around it to accomplish the goals of hazing without breaking the law.
When we try to understand why hazing continues despite the harsh law against it, let us not forget the oldtimers who, instead of hanging their heads in shame over taking part in such activities in the past, look back with nostalgia and bestow upon hazing the mantle of tradition it does not deserve.