The conviction of the ten members of the Aegis Juris fraternity over the death of law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III is expected to prod UST to enhance its policies to prevent hazing incidents in the future, a Political Science professor said.
Asst. Prof. Ma. Zenia Rodriguez, the program coordinator during Atio’s undergraduate years, said the ruling was a “win” for the quest for justice for the slain civil law student that highlights respect for life.
“This strong message will serve as a call for us to strengthen policies in our educational institutions so hazing incidents will not happen again,” Rodriguez told The Flame.
“The verdict clearly showed that hazing is a serious crime and the consequences are severe for the perpetrators,” she added.
Atio died on Sept. 17, 2017 after sustaining injuries during the initiation rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity.
His death prompted the UST Office for Student Affairs to temporarily suspend all fraternities, sororities and similar organizations for academic year 2018-2019.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) found ten Aegis Fraternity members “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” over Atio’s death and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
“The untimely death of Atio caused pain, agony, anxiety, suffering and mental anguish to his heirs because it deprived them [of] his company, love, support and companionship,” Manila RTC Branch 11 Presiding Judge Shirley Paglilauan said in her ruling.
According to the court, the so-called “Aegis 10” violated Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995, which states that fraternity members who inflicted physical harm are liable for the death of a person who was subjected to hazing or other forms of initiation rites.
Convicted over Atio’s hazing death were 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 Jr.
They were also ordered to jointly pay Atio’s family P686,800 for actual expenses, civil indemnity and moral and exemplary damages with a 6% interest rate per year until the sum has been paid. F
