● In August 2007, the newspaper reported what seemed to be yet

another sad incident of fraternity violence. Cris Anthony Mendez, a

twenty-year-old student of the University of the Philippines (UP), was
rushed to the hospital in the early morning hours, unconscious, with
large bruises on his chest, back, and legs. He passed away that
morning, and the subsequent autopsy report strongly suggests that
his physical injuries were most probably the result of “Hazing” (the
term colloquially used to refer to initiation rites in which neophytes
may be subjected to various forms of physical abuse). What exactly
happened remains an open question, as none of those who were with
him that night came forward to shed light on what had transpired.
Needless to say, none of them came forward to assume responsibility
for the death of Cris.
● Even as the leaders of the Sigma Rho fraternity publicly denounced
the death of Cris, those members of theirs who had been with him
that night vanished, avoiding and refusing to cooperate with legal
authorities. Meanwhile, UP students and the general public clamored
for justice. In a move that surprised the student body, the UP
chancellor called on all fraternities to justify their continued existence.
Meanwhile, the case of the tragic death of Cris Anthony Mendez was
left unresolved. It remains that way up to this day.
● No one knows just what exactly happened. No charges have been
filed, no definitive testimony has been forthcoming. But there is more
to this for us than just a criminal mystery. Pondering on the death of
Cris, we may find ourselves asking questions such as, “What is the
value of one’s life?” ”What exactly were the wrongs done to Cris by
his so-called fraternity brother?” or perhaps even “Are there any good
fraternities?” These questions that concern good and bad, or right and
wrong—and these are questions concerning value—are the kind of
questions that we deal with in ethics.

Reflect and answer the following questions:

1. What is the value of life?

Life is the most valuable thing the world can offer to us. But in
various instances, its value is discarded. The value of life is more than
just staying alive. I believe that living is the very essence of life. Fighting
everyday, surviving in every challenge, and living your life with morals
and according to your own phase. Those things are what makes a
 person’s life priceless. Living your life the way you wanted it, without
troubling other people around you, is what I suppose the value of life is.

2. If you are a member of this fraternity, what will you do?

Fraternity is an organization among people that shares

commonalities. It often builds a sense of brotherhood among the
members. This type of organization offers support academically or non
academically. In a way that will help you in succeeding and coping up
with university life. This organization is supposed to give and teach
people (students) moral values, support, assurance, and common good.
But in various cases, some frat orgs are the ones that lead a student life
to harm or, unfortunately, to an end.

If I were a frat member, ideally, I would choose to cooperate with

the authorities in order to give justice to the victim. But, realistically
talking, I would have had a hard time deciding what to do. Will I choose
truth and just over the bond I have with the frat? In case I know myself
that the frat is accountable for the crime, I will choose the truth. I will
surrender myself, cooperate with the authorities, and help the family and
the victim have their deserved justice.

3. Based on the given story, what is the concept of morality that this fraternity
advocates?

Morality is something that deals with the rightness and wrongness

of a certain behavior. In most organizations, the concept of morality
revolves around good and right conduct. They encourage their
members/employees to have a good character and behavior.
In this certain fraternity, they treat “hazing” as a proper way to test
someone’s loyalty, respect, and discipline. Violence is their way of
teaching someone something. They see violence as a way to properly
and surely know that their subordinate will follow what the brotherhood
wants. And this certain way is considered immoral within the society
since this type of action might cost a person’s life. Their concept of
morality is unacceptable within the standards/morals that is taught by the
society.