The parents of slain University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III hoped the upcoming verdict on the Aegis Juris fraternity members would compel UST to enforce stricter controls over fraternities and sororities to prevent hazing deaths.
According to a Varsitarian report, Atio’s mother, Carmina Castillo, hoped the verdict, scheduled for October 1, would not only bring justice for her son but also push UST to reassess school policies.
“When convicted, I hope that this will bring change to UST. To introduce this new change to UST na, ‘Look at the policies.’ Convicted [sila]. Wala ng hazing na mangyari,” she said.
Atio, 22, died on September 17, 2017 during an initiation organized by the Aegis Juris fraternity, during which he collapsed and lost consciousness.
Aegis Juris is a fraternity based in the university’s Faculty of Civil Law, the oldest law school in the Philippines.
However, Aegis Juris was not accredited by the university’s Office of Student Affairs at the time of Atio’s death.
Following the national controversy, the OSA directed fraternities and sororities in May 2018 to indefinitely “cease and desist” from recruiting members or “engaging in any kind of activities.”
Meanwhile, Horacio Castillo Jr., Atio’s father, acknowledged that there had been reforms in UST since his son died in 2017, but he said the university remained quiet.
“I don’t know how UST would answer because pitong taon na, they remained quiet. May kurot sa loob doon sa seven years, and they remain [silent]. We’ve been asking for the investigative report na ginawa nila, which they never furnished us.”
In February 2018, eight law students were expelled from UST following a university investigation, which found them “guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and Discipline,” meriting the penalty of expulsion.
UST had denied it was indifferent to Atio’s slay.
“Hindi naman namin kalaban ang UST. Ang gusto lang namin is sana makipagtulungan sila sa amin…para ‘yong seven years, baka naging four years na lang,” said Atio’s father.
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 was expected to reach a verdict on the case on Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m.
“If the Aegis Juris fratmen are found guilty, they may face the penalty of reclusion perpetua plus a fine of P3,000,000, which is the penalty stipulated in the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 for convicts who had planned or participated in hazing that resulted in death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation,” the report added.
GMA News Online had sought comment from UST, but the university had yet to respond as of posting time. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
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