The parents of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III, the freshman law student who died from hazing, said they are thankful for the court ruling convicting 10 fraternity members involved in their son's death but still demand accountability from the University of Sto. Tomas.
In an interview, Horacio Castillo Jr. and Carmina Castillo blamed the school’s negligence in protecting their son from fraternity violence.
"I'm holding University of Sto. Tomas responsible for the death of our son. It has been proven that Aegis Juris has been practicing hazing and it's time to check your policies and the laws of school," Atio's mother appealed.
In their statement, they said UST College of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina "failed to protect" their son.
"We believe that UST should make changes. We are holding them responsible for what they did to our son, they failed as second parents. The dean himself should have done something beforehand. They should have prevented the crime of hazing from happening," the mother said.
Meanwhile, the parents thanked the lawyers and members of Department of Justice who supported them.
"The guilty verdict is a team effort... and we are happy we have gotten our conviction," she said.
They also recognized the efforts of Senators Ping Lacson and Juan Miguel Zubiri, Cardinal Tagle and Archbishop Garbriel Casas in the promulgation of their son's case.
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 on October 1 sentenced the 10 fratmen of Aegis Juris to reclusion perpetua and ordered them to pay penalties of P461,800 as actual expenses, P75,000 as civil indemnity, P75,000 as moral damages, and P75,000 as exemplary damages.
Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/1/10-aegis-juris-frat-members-guilty-of-horacio-castillo-s-hazing-death