After fratmen’s conviction: UST, dean responsible too for Atio’s death – parents

 (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

MANILA, Philippines — After the guilty verdict on the 10 fraternity members charged for the death of law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, his parents on Tuesday maintained that they continue to hold the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and its law dean responsible for their son’s death.

“I would like to say that I am holding UST responsible for the death of our son. It has been proven that Aegis Juris has been practicing hazing and it is time to check your policies and laws in the school,” said Castillo’s mother, Carmina in a chance interview with reporters.

“I would like to reiterate that the school, the university, the civil law department, and the dean himself failed to protect our son,” she added.

Carmina said UST law dean Nilo Divina should have done something before it resulted in the death of Atio.

“And now we are very happy. We have gotten our conviction. We would like, maybe, we would like to ask the Dean, Dean Divina, what can you say about this?” Carmina said.

 Castillo’s father Horacio II, for his part, said that it is high time for “heads” to “roll” in the UST.

“I think it’s about time heads should roll in the UST,” he said.

Meanwhile, Divina in a separate statement disputed Carmina’s pronouncements, insisting that the UST and the Faculty of Civil Law performed its duty to protect her son.

“The university and the faculty have always implemented and upheld policies that promote the safety and welfare of all students,” said Divina.

“Unfortunately, no institution is spared from the actions of individuals who choose to disregard these measures,” he added.

In October 2017, Divina was among the initial respondents in the complaint filed by Carmina and Horacio.

The Department of Justice, however, dropped the dean from its charge sheet when it filed criminal charges against 10 members of Aegis Juris.

Now, seven years after the death of Castillo, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 found the 10 Aegis Juris members – Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Ralph Trangia, Robin Ramos, Jose Miguel Salamat, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, and Marcelino Bagtang—guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

All fratmen were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and to jointly and severally pay the heirs of Castillo the amount of P461,800 as actual expenses; P75,000 as civil indemnity; P75,000 as moral damages; and P75,000 as exemplary damages.