…MERHD investigates boozing involving male students studying in Manila
By Alfred Sasako
THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is investigating reports of boozing involving male students studying at two academic institutions in Manila, Philippines.
Island Sun was told about two weeks ago of instances suggesting that as soon as students, males in particular received their allowances, they would go into a drinking binge, became rowdy, causing excessive noise and disturbance to other students who share rented houses and or apartments with them.
In one incident, one student nearly got shot by an angry landlord after his wife allegedly reported that one of the drunken students downed his pants and showed her his private parts.
The landlord’s wife had apparently gone to the students to tell them to lower their noise. But instead, one of the male students took his pants off and showed the woman his private parts.
“In a fit of fury, the husband instantly ran out of their house with a gun in hand. Luckily, no one was hurt,” Island Sun was told.
On 30 August, Island emailed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), inquiring as to whether the Ministry is aware of the incident.
“I am not aware of the news but I can tell you that my Ministry will investigate the incident immediately and to consider [taking] appropriate action. Thank you for alerting me about the incident,” Dr Franco Rodie said.
It is understood that a senior official from the Ministry would be traveling to the Philippines sometimes next week to investigate the matter. The report by the official could determine the future of students allegedly involved in the boozing incident.
It is also understood that some government officials were aware of such behaviour by students both in the Philippines as well as in Fiji, where the report about a similar incident involving students went viral on the social media in recent weeks.
Meanwhile there are reports that Seasonal Workers’ in both Australia and New Zealand are being targeted by Solomon Islands’ female students studying overseas as well as women in Honiara.
“These students have been asking Seasonal Workers to send them money on a regular basis. It is a new phenomenon,” according to those familiar with it.
