Valenzuela signs peace pact with fraternity, sorority groups

To ensure that unity is maintained, cooperation is encouraged, and peace and order among groups in Valenzuela City is promoted and sustained, Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Task Force on Fraternities and Gangs Intervention and Prevention (TAFFGIP) Action Officer Coun. Joseph William “Ghogo” Lee, and the heads of the City’s seven (7) major fraternities and sororities jointly signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Peace and Cooperation Covenant last February 15, 2021.

Among those who signed the MOA were Alpha Kappa Rho Valenzuela Council Chairman Juan Pablo Bautista, Magic 5 Brotherhood Association, Inc., Valenzuela Council Chairperson Frank Eulin, Scouts Royale Brotherhood Valenzuela Council Chairperson Melchor Feliciano, Tau Gamma Phi Valenzuela Triskelion Council Chairperson Ever Tayawa Jr., Alpha Kappa Rho Sorority Valenzuela Council Chairperson Irene Olat,  Magic 5 Sorority President Maribelle Vitales, and Tau Gamma Sigma Valenzuela Lady Triskelion Council Chairperson Mariann Fatima Robles.

By entering the MOA, the parties agreed to “foster and uphold peace, order, unity, and cooperation in and among themselves” as members of TAFFGIP.  The fraternities and sororities also vowed to support the City Government’s initiatives and projects intended to make the lives of Valenzuelanos better.

The MOA signing, which took place at the 3^rd Floor Conference Room of The City Hall, was witnessed by Valenzuela City Chief of Police PCOL Fernando Reyes Ortega and other officials and members of the said organizations.

Its timing also coincided with the celebration month of Valenzuela’s cityhood and the anniversary of Coun. Lee’s appointment as TAFFGIP Action Officer.

The coming together of the fraternity and sorority heads is both a display of solidarity and a proof that they are one in their goal of working alongside each other for the common good of the people.

TAFFGIP in Action

In 2009, the growing incidents of violence and petty crimes among gangs and fraternities in Valenzuela City prompted then Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian to create TAFFGIP. With the creation of this Task Force as mandated by Executive Order Nos. 2009-055 and 2010-224, then Mayor WIN Gatchalian envisioned fraternities and sororities unifying and co-existing peacefully in the City.

TAFFGIP was later reorganized through Executive Order No. 2013-106 under current Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian.

Twelve years since its inception and through the able leadership of Mayors WIN and Rex Gatchalian, former Action Officer and Vice Mayor Tony Espiritu, and current Action Officer Coun. Ghogo Lee, the groups that were once engaged in frat wars and rumbles are now deep into “project wars” such as bloodletting drives, Brigada Eskwela, feeding programs, and relief operations.