On Tuesday, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 found 10 fraternity members guilty of violating the Anti-Hazing Law in relation to the death of Horacio 'Atio' Castillo III in 2017, a freshman student at the University of Santo Tomas’ Faculty of Civil Law.
JUST IN: 10 akusado sa pagkamatay ng hazing victim na si Horacio "Atio" Castillo III, hinatulang guilty ng Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/B8B5d8BmeJ
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 1, 2024
The convicted individuals are Arvin Rivera Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Ralph Trangia, John Robin Ramos, Jose Miguel Salamat, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, and Marcelino Bagtang Jr.
In its decision, the Manila RTC sentenced the individuals to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment.
The Court also ordered all 10 to jointly and severally pay the heirs of Castillo P461,800 for actual expenses, along with P75,000 for civil indemnity, P75,000 for moral damages, and P75,000 for exemplary damages.
“All the amounts shall earn interest at the rate of six percent per annum upon finality of the decision until fully paid,” the order indicated.
In a report by RH Boy Gonzales, it was noted that the fraternity members and their families, as well as the family of Castillo, were present in court.
The court previously denied the request of the 10 defendants to post bail in the case in 2019.
Furthermore, Several fraternity members and some officials of the UST Faculty of Civil Law were acquitted of the case after the court dismissed the complaints against them due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Carmina Castillo, the mother of Atio, stated that she holds UST responsible for her son's death.
"It has been proven that Aegis Juris has been practicing hazing and its time to check your policies and your laws to the school," Carmina Castillo said in an interview with the media after the sentence was declared.
"I would like to reiterate again that the Civil Law Department, the Dean himself, failed to protect our son,” she added.
This sentiment was echoed by the victim's father, Horacio Castillo II, who stated that it's about time that 'heads should roll' in UST.
Meanwhile, in a statement released on Tuesday, UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Atty. Nilo Divina said that he continues to extend his heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Atio Castillo's parents.
"However, I respectfully disagree with the statement of Mrs. Carmina Castillo that UST and the Faculty of Civil Law failed in their duty to protect her son," Divina said.
He then emphasized that the university and the faculty have consistently implemented and upheld policies designed to promote the safety and welfare of students.
"Unfortunately, no institution is spared from the actions of individuals who choose to disregard these measures. We remain committed to ensuring a safe environment and continuously improve our efforts to prevent a repetition of such tragedy," said Divina.
On September 17, 2017, the then 22-year-old Atio Castillo died from hazing while undergoing initiation rites by Aegis Juris fraternity.
John Paul Solano brought Castillo to Chinese General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Initially, Solano told police that he had found Castillo lying on the road. He was later found guilty of obstruction of justice and sentenced to two to four years in prison.
