UPAlumni.net

Source: UP NCPAG website

Cris Anthony MendezThe National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) community mourns the tragic death of Cris Anthony Mendez—graduating student, student leader, and eldest son.

As a community, we condemn in strongest terms the senselessness and violence of his death. His death diminishes us all and the invisible spirit of human kindness that binds us all.

Cris died, as reports allege, in the hands of those who would have been his fraternity brothers. Once more, we take a stand to denounce and express our collective outrage against this culture of organized violence.

Almost a decade ago, another promising NCPAG student, Alex Icasiano, died from injuries sustained allegedly in rites initiated by his fraternity brothers.

We collectively renew our call against fraternity-related violence, as we have expressed with others in a July 2006 rally.

We call on those who have knowledge and information about the circumstances of Cris’ death – especially those from the NCPAG community – to come forward and shed light on this senseless violence. Let us not allow Cris die a second death because of your silence, and remember the grief of his mother and his loved ones and friends. We call on the authorities not to waver in their pursuit of justice and fairness for Cris.

We also re-state our call for fraternities to review their traditions, to speak openly against, and write down their commitment to renounce violence.

August 30, 2007