(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday welcomed the guilty verdict on the fraternity members involved in the hazing-related death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law student Horacio ‘Atio’ Castillo III, but called for an intensified crackdown on hazing in schools and universities to prevent more “senseless and brutal” deaths.
In a statement, Gatchalian said the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 guilty verdict on the ten Aegis Juris fratmen is a “victory for the rule of law against the evil of hazing.”
Gatchalian, however, noted that from 2014 to 2024, 17 deaths due to hazing have been recorded, with the most recent being Ren Joseph Bayan—a Grade 11 student from Nueva Ecija.
“Alongside the pursuit of justice for other hazing victims, we must also ensure that our institutions, including schools and law enforcement agencies, work diligently to eliminate hazing,” said Gatchalian.
“Ang hamon sa bansa ay tiyaking wala nang kapwa Pilipino ang mamatay nang wala sa oras dahil sa mga walang kabuluhang karahasan,” he added.
(The challenge for the country is to ensure that no more Filipino will die due to senseless violence.)
Meanwhile, Zubiri lamented Bayan’s “senseless and brutal” death as it occurred at a time when the family of Castillo was awaiting justice.
“We must put an end to this senseless violence. Fraternities and organizations that allow or promote hazing must be held accountable,” said Zubiri.
“Walang dahilan at walang puwang ang hazing sa ating lipunan.(Hazing has no place in society) It is a crime, plain and simple. Those who participate in or enable such murderous criminal acts must face the full force of the law,” he added.
According to Zubiri, fraternities involved in hazing must no longer be tolerated and protected, stressing that those behind hazing-involved fraternities must be put behind bars and be shown that “their days of violence are over.”
He called on authorities to “act swiftly and decisively” and ensure that the suspects behind Bayan’s death will be held accountable.
“There is no excuse for this kind of barbarism, and those who take part in these deadly rites must be brought to justice immediately,” said Zubiri.
Castillo case
It was in September 2017 when Castillo died from hazing while being recruited by Aegis Juris. He was only 22 at that time.
Seven years after, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 has found 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.
They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, and ordered pay the heirs of Castillo P461,800 as actual expenses; P75,000 as civil indemnity; P75,000 as moral damages; and P75,000 as exemplary damages.