Dwayne Pelagio

10 Aegis Juris Fraternity members were convicted by a Manila court on Oct. 1 for the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio “Acio” Castillo III, seven years after his death in 2017.

Photo Courtesy of Rappler/The Varsitarian.

Frat members Arvin Rivera Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Ralph Trangia, John Robin Ramos, Jose Miguel Salamat, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, and Marcelino Bagtang Jr. were found guilty by the Manila Regional Trial Court 11 of violating the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995.

They participated in the initiation rites that killed Castillo. 

According to a decision by Judge Shirley Magsipoc-Pagalilauan, they will serve a sentence of reclusion perpetua, or a prison term of 20 to 40 years.

The convicted members were also ordered by the court to pay the victim’s family P461,800 in actual damages; P75,000 in civil indemnity; P75,000 in moral damages, and P75,000 in exemplary damages with interest at a rate of 6 percent per year from the finality of the decision until fully paid.

“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,” Pagalilauan said in her decision.

The ruling also stated that the hazing was committed outside of the school or institution.

Castillo’s mother, Carmina, spoke to reporters after the ruling, gave an emotional plea as she held UST accountable for her son’s death.

‘School policies and law’

“We all placed our hundred percent and we got our conviction. At this point, I would like to say that we are holding UST responsible for the death of our son,” she said to the reporters.

The victim’s mother added that Aegis Juris has been practicing hazing and it is time to check the school’s policies.

“The dean himself should have acted sooner,” she said, pertaining to UST Faculty of Civil Law dean Atty. Nilo Divina.

Divina replied through a viber message that the university and the faculty have always implemented and upheld policies that promote the safety and welfare of all students.

“Unfortunately, no institution is immune to individuals who choose to disregard these measures.”

The law dean also said that they remain committed to ensure a safe environment for students to avoid a repetition of such an incident.

Castillo was found unconscious at a sidewalk and was brought to the Chinese General Hospital on Sept. 17, 2017, on which he was declared dead on arrival with a police autopsy stating that he died of a massive heart attack.

He was 22 years old.

‘Improvement of anti-hazing measures’

John Paul Solano, the Aegis Juris member who brought him to the hospital, was found guilty by the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 14 in 2019.

He was sentenced to two to four years in prison.

Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed the court’s decision, noting that Castillo’s death led to a much improved Anti-Hazing Law. 

"Matagal ang pitong taong paghihintay (Seven years is a long time to wait.). And while the court’s verdict will not bring Atio back, we hope it provides some comfort to his family who fought for justice all these years," Zubiri said.

The senator also noted that at the wake of his death, they made sure to strengthen the Anti-Hazing Law, so they can stop the barbaric hazing practices that have taken too many young lives.

He added that the court’s verdict on Castillo’s case will serve as a “stern warning” against all fraternities and organizations that “still refuse to end their culture of hazing.”