Who killed Horacio Castillo III?

Many days after the brutal killing of Horacio Castillo III, nobody is admitting that he or she was inside the fraternity library, where the victim was hazed. Sen. Joey Lina, author of the Anti-Hazing Law, said their mere presence at the initiation site is enough to hold all frat members guilty. This guy, JP Solano, who admitted under oath, that he was called to help when Castillo already lost consciousness, supposedly invoked his right against self-incrimination. In executive session he supposedly disclosed a lot, but in open session he would not reveal those fraternity brothers present during the initiation rites, or those inside the two vehicles he was asked to follow to the Chinese General Hospital. Why? Because of that fraternity's code of silence.

Being faithful to that code may result in obstruction of justice, if the Senate hearings were really a preliminary investigation and not merely in aid of legislation. Every member of the fraternity has taken silence. Everyone claimed to be inactive or took a leave of absence. No fraternity brother would

tell on a brod or sis. They invoke their right against selfincrimination. They are all learned in the technicalities and nuances of the law. The victims' parents are hungry for justice. If they were very poor, this case might even end with a financial settlement. Luckily, the Castillos are well-off and cannot be bought. They will most probably exhaust all legal remedies. Yes, this powerful fraternity may have finally met its match.

Many members of the Bar attended the senate hearing. But by refusing to disclose what they know, these lawyers might be asked to explain relative to their sworn duties as lawyers and members of the Bar. The dean and the college secretary, both members of the fraternity, denied having personal knowledge about the hazing. Senior members of the fraternity claimed they are all inactive and had no personal knowledge either. It appeared, however, during the hearing that school officials already knew about the death a day earlier. Yet the parents were not informed. That was adding injury to the victim's parents.

This code of silence is nothing but a conspiracy to withhold the truth and cover up for their brothers and sisters. In fairness to this UST fraternity, this code is not unique. The code is endemic to all fraternities and sororities. And this code is the main reason why the conviction rate of cases involving death and injuries due to hazing is a measly one percent. The prosecutors cannot find witnesses willing to testify. This code is an institutionalized obstruction of justice. If and when committed by lawyers, this can be a ground for disbarment. As of today, the frat has promised to cooperate but no one is willing to tell the whole story. what kind of cooperation is that?

And so, until now, no one knows who really killed Atio Castillo? Many might have seen but no one is coming forward. One or two are now abroad allegedly in flight. And all other fratmen's lips are sealed by an ancient code of silence, which is a vain refusal to tell the truth.