UP org denies hazing in application process

Rappler.com

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UP org denies hazing in application process
While they were never mentioned in any of the online posts, 'definitive allusions to the organization' prompt UP SAMASKOM to respond to the alleged hazing incident

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral Sa Komunikasyon (UP SAMASKOM) denied being behind “any deliberate physical, mental or psychological abuse at any of its application process.”

The statement, released Thursday evening, March 3, was in response to a Facebook post made by a UP graduate on February 29 about how she suffered various acts of physical and verbal abuse during her application process for an organization.

“[The] application process for the org was hell. I was abused psychologically and physically. Throughout the process, the members put us under a lot of pressure. They screamed at us, bullied us, and eventually, they physically hurt us,” the UP graduate said on Facebook.

She shared graphic description of the application process, from the alleged verbal abuse she experienced during the “acquaintance” period to the reported physical and psychological trauma she went through during the final rites.

The post quickly went viral and once again sparked discussions about hazing practices in colleges and universities, prompting the UP College of Mass Communication to condemn the alleged hazing practices.

‘Definitive allusions’

While they were never mentioned in any of the online posts, “definitive allusions to the organization” prompted UP SAMASKOM to release an official statement responding to the issue.

“Every activity the applicants engage in has been carefully planned to encourage creativity, responsibility, resourcefulness, trust and camaraderie, all of which are integral to the UP SAMASKOM culture that has been cultivated through the years,” UP SAMASKOM said in its statement posted on Facebook. 

SAMASKOM was organized in UP way back in 1974.

The organization said they “welcome any form of investigation that may ensue from this as long as it will be conducted fairly, with discretion and only by entities that have legal authority over the organization.”

UP asssociate professor and former SAMASKOM faculty adviser Daniel Arao expressed his doubts. “Is it possible that SAMASKOM inflicted unintended abuse on your applicant since your denial only covers ‘deliberate physical, mental, and psychological abuse’? Second, are cursing and shouting at your applicants part of the careful planning to encourage creativity and other values you enumerated?”

Arao pointed to the “loud voices” of members who were “cursing and shouting” and which could be heard in the college during the application period. “I will be waiting for your answers, as I am sure other social media users are also interested to know your reply.”

The Philippines has an anti-hazing law, Republic Act 8049, which regulates hazing in the country.

To prohibit all forms of hazing, a lawmaker filed House Bill 4714 or the “Servando Act.” The bill was named after Guillo Cesar Servando, who died after a hazing ritual in June 2015.  – Rappler.com

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