Fast proliferation of gangs and frats in Baguio (and nearby La Trinidad)

Even when I was a high school student, my teachers warned us against joining frats. That if we really become a member of a genuine frat, then better join KC (Knights of Columbus) or other parish based organizations because these are the real fraternities where they live truly to its namesake: "brotherhood". When I was a student, frats were a pain in the head of the administration and parents. Now that I am a teacher, it wasn't only the frats that we're trying to guard our students against. Here comes the 2nd evil: gangs.

Everybody knows already what frats (especially underground ones) do. But for gangs, it is the worst. They call themselves "terrorrists" and they are armed. Enticing many young people to join their group.

What could be the reasons or factors in the fast proliferation of gangs in our locality that they even have local chapters? Maybe these are the following:

• Rebellion

I have a student last year who is indifferent to her father. She is always being told as a bad girl and the black sheep in the family. Reading through her essays and themes, her teachers can say that she doesn't feel any love from her father. In fact, the way of discipline inside their house is through physical pain. She joined a frat/group. From the teachers, to the guidance office, to the family and even the DSWD, everybody tried their effort to win her back. The school gave her second chances. But in the middle of February, she cannot be found anywhere else in Baguio. We cannot do anything but wait. Pinaki-usapan na at lahat ang bata pero sumunod parin sa grupo na yun. On the June of that year, she was found in Pampanga but still has to be under the care of the local DSWD because of the trauma she experienced. Through her grandma, I heard that she finally realized her mistake. She wasted one year of her life just because of her rebellion. And what was worst, it was very hard for her to get away from that group.

• Teenager's need for a sense of belongingness

Most of the students enticed to join these groups are the children of OFW's or parents who doesn't have time for their child. They need a family where they can say they belong. They older role models that they would follow. But most of all, they need the love and affection of a so called "family". Man is a social animal. It is normal for us to long for kin and friends. And in the developmental stage of a teenager, they need this most: "family and friends". Here is where the Church can fill up the hole in these children's hearts. Make our Young People/Parish Youth groups strong. If they can't find it in their homes, then at least they can have this 'sense of belongingness' and 'love' that they are longing for in the Church.

• Fear

Some of the recruits are bullied to join the gang. There are even groups that follow the student even up to their doorstep. Then harm then later on. Maybe the solution here is a strong police vicibility in the locality with the help of the tanods. But it would be even more efficient if the whole community would cooperate, participate and collaborate with the local barangay. If there are malicious looking people around the neighborhood, whom they think would pose a harm not only to their children but even their neighbor's children, then the gang itself will realize that they are powerless against the community. Even if these gangs are armed. Wala naman siguro sa kanila ang may anthrax bomb or nuclear bomb. Or even if they are heavily armed, still peace and order is still stronger if the community would collaborate.

• the feel of Power

The feeling that one is powerful makes one good. Joining gangs would give them the power to retribute against anybody they hate. But again, it gives harmfull consequences if not handled well. It goes back to the home and the local Church. Even if it is a value taught to them many, many times, the application and strengthening of that values especially of humility, meekness and honesty is still in the home. If these three: school, Church and family would again collaborate to embed in our young the values taught to us by our faith, not even Satan himself can entice our young to join those bad groups.

I have students who strongly oppose and decline bravely these gangs and frats. If you look into their backgrounds, they have strong family ties. And even if their parents are OFW's they are members of parish youth groups or their relatives takes good care of them.

Again, our strong weapons against these modern social problems are: Family, Church and a collaborative Community.