Hazing victim Atio Castillo’s parents meet Duterte in Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday met with the parents of the hazing victim Horacio Castillo III in Malacañang.

Horacio Castillo Jr. and Carminia Castillo paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañang's Music Room. Castillo’s sister Nicolle and uncle Gerardo were also at the meeting.

“I can assure you. I’m giving you my word: there will be no whitewash,” Duterte told the family during the meeting that lasted for almost an hour.

Castillo’s family earlier said they would only want the Manila Police District (MPD) to handle the case after Duterte asked them if they were okay with the National Bureau of Investigation to handle Atio’s case.

Special Assistant to the President Sec. Christopher “Bong” Go called up MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel to allow the President to relay the request of the family.

Duterte told Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to validate MPD's investigation after.

EARLIER: Pres. Duterte met with the family of Atio Castillo in Malacañang pic.twitter.com/tAPfdwQ93F

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) October 4, 2017

The President also raised the possibility of canceling the passports of suspects who have fled the country. So far, only Ralph Cabales Trangia, one of the primary suspects, had left the Philippines for the United States.

Duterte said the Department of Foreign Affairs would coordinate with the International Police Organization on the matter.

During his interview with reporters after meeting the Castillo family, the President also assured them that the suspects in the death of Atio still are in the country were on the watch list of the Bureau of Immigration.

“So lahat ng mga suspects na may have been involved in the commission of murder, their names were already posted hopefully by this time in all ports of entry and exit dito sa Philippines,” he said.

After the meeting, the Castillo family told reporters that they were satisfied with the meeting with the President.

Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman Dante Jimenez was also at the meeting — NB/BAP, GMA News