MANILA, Philippines- Kasunod ng hatol na guilty sa 10 fraternity members na kinasuhan sa pagkamatay ng law student na si Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, nanindigan ang kanyang mga magulang nitong Martes na ipagpapatuloy nilang igiit na dapat managot ang University of Santo Tomas (UST) at law dean nito sa pagkamatay ng kanilang anak.
“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,” pahayag ng ina ni Castillo na si Carmina sa isang panayam.
“I would like to reiterate that the school, the university, the civil law department, and the dean himself failed to protect our son,” dagdag niya.
Ani Carmina, may ginawa dapat ang UST law dean na si Nilo Divina bago magresulta sa pagkamatay ni Castillo.
“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?” wika ni Carmina.
Sinabi naman ng ama ni Castillo na si Horacio II na panahon na para may managot sa UST.
“I think it’s about time heads should roll in the UST,” pahayag niya.
Samantala, sa hiwalay na pahayag, binigyang-diin ni Divina na isinagawa ng UST at ng Faculty of Civil Law ang tungkulin nitong protektahan si Castillo.
“The university and the faculty have always implemented and upheld policies that promote the safety and welfare of all students,” sabi ni Divina.
“Unfortunately, no institution is spared from the actions of individuals who choose to disregard these measures,” dagdag niya.
Noong Oktubre 2017, kasama si Divina sa initial respondents sa reklamong inihain nina Carmina at Horacio.
Subalit, tinanggal ng Department of Justice ang dean mula sa charge sheet nang maghain ng criminal charges laban sa 10 miyembro ng Aegis Juris.
Sa kasalukuyan, pitong taon matapos ang pagkamatay ni Castillo, hinatulan ng Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 ang 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, at Marcelino Bagtang—na guilty beyond reasonable doubt sa paglabag sa Republic Act 8049 o ang Anti-Hazing Law.
Sinintensyahan lahat ng fratmen ng reclusion perpetua at inatasang magbayad ng danyos. RNT/SA
