Duterte says he suffered 'massive hematoma' after being hazed

MANILA (2nd UPDATE)—President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday hazing is embedded in the culture of fraternities, and it could be difficult to put an end to the practice.

"You know, ikaw pumasok ka, ‘pag nahuli ka, sorry ka. Hindi mo talaga matanggal ‘yan, ma’am. Unless you ban fraternity for all time. Make it a criminal offense by joining a fraternity. But that would raise so many constitutional issues. Hindi mo talaga mapigilan ‘yan," Duterte said before he departed for Russia.

He said the ritual shouldn't be excessive to the point that it leads to death.

"That will create a lifetime of animosity," Duterte said, referring to the act of humiliating and even beating up novices to gain entry into a brotherhood.

"'Yong tamang-tama lang. 'Yong madala sa ospital mabuhay, 'wag naman 'yong mamatay. Pero 'di mo maalis 'yan."

Duterte said that when he joined his fraternity during his days in San Beda College of Law, he suffered from "massive hematoma."

"I was hospitalized for 3 days," he said.

Duterte is a member of San Beda University-based Lex Talionis Fraternitas.

• Duterte signs law that bans hazing in all forms

The president, however, signed into law a measure that bans hazing in all forms in June 2018.

Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, which is an amendment of the 1995 version, also imposes higher penalties for those who will be proved guilty of hazing.

Section 3 of the law states that "all forms of hazing shall be prohibited in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens' military training and citizens' army training. This prohibition shall likewise apply to all other fraternities, sororities, and organizations that are not school-based, such as community-based and other similar fraternities, sororities and organizations."

• PMA cadet itinali, tinakpan ng plastik ang mukha bago mamatay

His remarks on Tuesday comes after a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet died due to alleged hazing last month.

The death of 20-year-old Darwin Dormitorio sparked public uproar and calls from lawmakers to end the notorious tradition.

• UP investigates Sigma Rho fraternity amid hazing rumors

Last week, officials of the University of the Philippines - Diliman also said they are investigating allegations of hazing by the Sigma Rho fraternity.

This, after photos and screenshots of a group chat of supposed members of the fraternity on hazing-related violence became viral on social media.