May paggagamitan na ang talas ng bagong Anti-Hazing Law o Republic Act 11053 upang malaman ang pagiging epektibo nito.

Ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson na dati ring pinuno ng Philippine National Police (PNP), isang kongkretong halimbawa ng kaso na puwedeng paggamitan ng naturang batas ay ang naganap na sex scandal sa Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

Ang oral sex bilang parusa sa mga nagkamali o nagkasala na kadete ng PNPA ay malinaw upang paglabag sa naturang batas kung pagbabatayan ang mga nilalaman nito, ayon sa mambabatas.

“In this case, the cadets involved will have the distinction of being the first to be convicted under the new law,” banggit ni Lacson.

Related: Lacson: PNPA Scandal a Test Case for New Anti-Hazing Law

Sa ilalim ng bagong batas, ang hazing ay tinutukoy na capital offense na may katapat na pinakamabigat na parusa, na sa ngayon ay habambuhay na pagkakabilanggo.

Bago naging batas, pinangasiwaan ni Lacson ang pag-usad ng panukala nito sa Senado sa pamamagitan ng pag-sponsor sa plenaryo, matapos ang pagdinig sa Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs sa hazing kay Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

“Under the new law, the definition of hazing has been expanded to include ‘physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, member, neophyte, or applicant’ as a prerequisite for admission or for continued membership in an organization,” paliwanag pa ni Lacson.

Malinaw din umano ang mga nakasaad sa mga pribado o pampublikong institusyon na mapapatunayang sangkot sa hazing.

“Banned under the law are ‘all forms of hazing’ not only in fraternities, sororities or organizations in schools, but also those in communities and even businesses and uniformed service learning institutions,” banggit pa ni Lacson.

Sa ilalim ng batas, ang mga parusa sa hazing ay ang mga sumusunod:

* reclusion temporal and P1 million on the participating officer and members of the fraternity who were involved in the hazing
* reclusion perpetua and P2 million on members who actually participated in hazing when under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and on non-resident or alumni who participate in hazing
* reclusion perpetua and P3 million on those who participated in hazing that resulted in death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation
* P1 million on the school if it approved an initiation of a fraternity, sorority or organization where hazing occurred
* prison correccional (six months to six years) on anyone who intimidates or threatens another for recruitment. This includes “persistent and repeated” proposals or invitations to those who refused to join at least twice
* P1 million for former officers or alumni who try to hide or obstruct investigation

Ang batas ay nilagdaan ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte Hunyo 29 ng kasalukuyang taon.

*****