‘Horacio, our son, was a good son, a perfect son, the best son any parent could ever have’
The family, friends, and supporters on Wednesday bade farewell to University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III at his funeral mass held at Santuario De San Antonio in Makati.
Tears began to pour when Atio's father, Horacio Jr. or Toti, recalled his son’s life since the day he was born.
“Horacio, our son, was a good son, a perfect son, the best son any parent could ever have,” said Toti, who shared that holding Atio in his arms for the first time in May 6, 1995, when he was born was the happiest day of his life.
At the highly emotional funeral mass, Toti described Atio as a child growing up who was full of life
and aspiration, but who was robbed by fraternity brothers of his “dreams and aspirations.”
“He was righteous and kind to all. He believed in God. He was a man for others,” added Horacio Jr.
At age 22, Toti said, Atio decided to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. But barely two months after enrolling in the UST Faculty of Civil Law, “he was brutally killed at the hands of his initiators.”
“This so-called fraternity brothers robbed him of his dreams and aspirations,” said Toti, referring to Aegis Juris fraternity where Atio signed up as member.
Saying his last goodbye, Toti said they are letting him go because they love him so much and they want him to be happy forever.
“We will miss you terribly, but we will be okay. Pray for us, Atio, and give us the strength to fight for justice – justice for you, and justice for all those who lost their lives to hazing.”
Toti also thanked supporters, who came in either white or black shirt bearing “#JusticeForHoracio,” for showing their love for the family in these trying times.
“You give us the strength to face each other… heart-breaking day as we come to terms with our son's passing. Please continue to pray for us as we move forward to living a difficult day without our son Atio. Again, thank you for the love and the support,” said Toti before mourners inside the church.
The mass was officiated by father Winston Cabading. In his homily, Priest Cabading said “brotherhood that seeks harm does not come from God... but from the devil.”
After the funeral mass, Atio was laid to rest at Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. Solano’s release ordered As this developed, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered on Wednesday the release of Aegis Juris fraternity member John Paul Solano, the man who took Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital, from the custody of the Manila Police District.
The DOJ also ordered the conduct a preliminary investigation against him and other respondents allegedly involved in the death of Castillo.
Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. said the DOJ issued a resolution ordering Solano’s release and proceeding with the preliminary investigation set for October 4 and 9.
“The release of the respondent would not mean he is already off the hook,” Catalan assured reporters.
But Solano’s lawyer Paterno Esmaquel said they have yet to receive a copy of the release order.
Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva said she already sent out subpoenas to Solano and the other respondents to attend the hearings.
Apart from Solano, also included in the complaint filed before the DOJ are Aegis Juris member Ralph Trangia and his parents Antonio and Rosemarie, Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Ranie Refael Santiago, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Jason Adolfo Robinos, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Karl Matthew Villanueva, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Axel Munro Hipe, Marc Anthony Ventura, Aeron Salientes, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro, and Jose Miguel Salamat.
Anti-hazing law Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday urged universities to implement stricter regulations on fraternities, sororities, and other organizations to finally end hazing which has already killed a number of students.
Pimentel said fraternity violence will persist if schools do not use a “vice-like” grip in policies inside their campuses.
But Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said students who engage in hazing should be expelled from school.
“It’s been more than twenty years since the Anti-Hazing Law was enacted in 1995, but the recent death of UST law student Horacio Castillo III shows us that the law itself has failed to fully deter frat members from committing acts of physical violence against neophytes,” lamented Pimentel.
“What’s the solution then? Do we strengthen the law, or do we take a different approach and demand that schools take a tougher regulatory stance vis-a-vis these fraternities?” he said
While many of his colleagues in the Senate have called for amendments to Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995 to include stiffer penalties, Pimentel had earlier said the existing law should have been enough to prevent fraternity violence.
“In my opinion, plastado na yung batas, eh. Why is this still happening, yun na lang ang tanong,” he said.
Pimentel stressed that under RA 8049, school authorities should recognize fraternities and exert efforts to ensure that all school organizations comply with the provisions of the law.
“University and college officials should recognize fraternities and similar organizations so they can be subject to regulation," Pimentel said.
“If school authorities receive information that these groups continue to defy their rules and regulations, then they should not hesitate to sanction erring students with suspension, or even heavier penalties... such as expulsion, and even criminal and civil prosecution,” Pimentel said.
Inhuman, unChristian
“Students who engage in this nonsensical practice must be expelled from school,” Bishop Bastes told church-run Radyo Veritas.
The prelate said it is a shame that hazing is still being done by a fraternity of students, especially in a Catholic University.
“It is absolutely senseless, cruel and inhuman and unChristian!” said Bastes.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said it is "sad and shameful" that a life was wasted just because of hazing.
“Anything and anyone that promotes violence to one another and inflicts physical harms should be avoided, condemned and prosecuted,” he said.
“Hazing is just pain and agony which leads to disability or death. Justice must be served,” added Santos. (With reports from Jeffrey G. Damicog, Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola, and Leslie Ann G. Aquino)