THE PARENTS of slain UST law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III are hopeful that the upcoming verdict on the Aegis Juris fraternity members will compel UST to enforce stricter controls over fraternities and sororities to prevent hazing deaths.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Atio’s mother, Carmina Castillo, expressed hope that the verdict, scheduled for Oct. 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,” Carmina said. “To introduce this new change to UST na ‘look at the policies.’ Convicted [sila]. Wala nang hazing na mangyari.”
Atio died on Sept. 17, 2017 during an initiation organized by the Aegis Juris fraternity. The neophyte collapsed and lost consciousness after the fifth paddle blow.
The UST political science graduate could not be revived by members of Aegis Juris, a fraternity based in the Faculty of Civil Law, the oldest law school in the Philippines.
“That should be addressed. That should not be swept under the rug. Kasi what about the past na nire-recognize niyo e?” Carmina said, referring to fraternities and sororities receiving accreditation from the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) in the past.
Aegis Juris was not accredited by the OSA 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.”
Horacio Castillo Jr., Atio’s father, acknowledged that there have already been reforms in UST since his son’s death in 2017.
“Marami nang nangyari in those seven years. Especially for UST, nakita ko naman ‘yong maraming changes sa nangyayari,” he told the Varsitarian. “UST [has strived] for change. Siyempre, siguro with what had happened, the school can learn from this.”
“Dapat din silang maging proactive especially ‘yong population ng UST is growing. So, they have to be very strict, para naman may control,” he added. “Kasi [ang] nakikita ko diyan, parang wala nang control ang UST when they handled the fraternities.”
‘UST remained quiet’
Atio’s father lamented how UST was mum on his son’s death during the past seven years.
“I don’t know how UST would answer because pitong taon na [and] they remained quiet,” Horacio said. “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.”
UST launched an investigation a day after Atio’s death and vowed to deliver justice.
Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., the rector at that time, formed a committee composed of six UST administrators and a representative from the Central Student Council, to investigate the hazing incident.
In February 2018, eight law students were expelled from UST following the committee’s 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.
READ MORE: UST admin dismisses claims it was indifferent to Atio’s death
“Hindi naman namin kalaban ang UST,” Horacio explained. “Ang gusto lang namin is sana makipagtulungan sila sa amin…para ‘yong seven years, baka naging four years na lang.”
Atio’s case is set to reach a verdict on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11.
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. Sydney Venice V. Berba with reports from Amador Denzel M. Teston and Hannah Joyce V. Andaya
