SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned the hazing death of a 19-year-old maritime student in Cavite City, urging authorities and schools to strictly enforce the country’s anti-hazing law to prevent further tragedies.

Zubiri was referring to the death of Mark Kenneth Alcedo, a first-year maritime student who reportedly died after undergoing hazing rites.

“This is brutality disguised as brotherhood, and it has no place in any school, any organization, any community,” Zubiri said.

The senator said repeated condemnations are not enough, stressing that stronger enforcement and accountability must follow every incident.

“We cannot just keep condemning while lives are lost. We cannot keep calling for heads to roll as if outrage alone is a policy,” he said.

Zubiri noted that he authored and pushed for the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 following the death of Horacio ‘Atio’ Castillo III, whose case exposed how hazing rituals could turn violent and deadly.

The law bans all forms of hazing and imposes strict penalties on those involved, while requiring schools to monitor and prevent initiation-related activities.

Despite the law, Zubiri questioned why hazing incidents persist.

“Why is this still happening today? Why are students still dying from initiation rites that bring no honor, only abuse and violence?” he asked.

He also said schools must be held accountable, noting that the law requires institutions to implement safeguards, monitoring systems, and reporting mechanisms to prevent hazing.

Zubiri called for stronger prevention efforts, including sustained education campaigns to inform students about the legal consequences of hazing and the lasting trauma it causes.

He said anti-hazing awareness programs should be mandatory, documented, and regularly conducted in schools and universities instead of being implemented only after tragedies occur.

Zubiri also expressed sympathy to the victim’s family and urged young people to reject hazing traditions.

“To the youth, choose conviction over conformity and speak up before another life is lost,” he said, warning that the law is clear and penalties remain severe for those who continue the practice.