Manila court convicts 10 fratmen in Atio Castillo hazing case

A Manila court on Tuesday convicted 10 fraternity members in the case of slain University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, seven years after his death in 2017.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 found 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, Marcelino Bagtang Jr. guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995.

They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment.

“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,” the Court said.

The Court also ordered them to jointly and severally pay the heirs of Castillo P461,800 in actual expenses, P75,000 as civil indemnity, P75,000 as moral damages, and P75,000 as exemplary damages.

“All the amounts shall earn interest at the rate of 6% per annum upon finality of the decision until fully paid,” the court said.

LOOK: The family of UST law freshman Atio Castillo III is now at the Manila RTC Br. 11 for the promulgation of his hazing case.

Castillo passed away at 22 years old in September 2017 after the initiation rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/IsD8FSsT6X

— Joahna Lei Casilao (@joahnacasilao) October 1, 2024

Carmina, Castillo’s mother, said their victory was the result of a “team effort.” 

She also called on the university to check its policies.

“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. It has been proven that Aegis Juris has been practicing hazing. It is time to check your policies,” she said.

Meanwhile, Castillo’s father, Horacio, said it was about time for “heads to roll in UST.”

GMA News Online has sought comment from UST but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

The 10 fratmen have been detained at the Manila City Jail since May 2018.

READ: TIMELINE: Atio Castillo hazing death case

Castillo was declared dead on arrival at the Chinese General Hospital at 22 years old on September 17, 2017 after the initiation of the Aegis Juris fraternity, which was based in the Faculty of Civil Law.

READ: LIST: Fatal hazing cases

In 2019, the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 14  found Solano guilty of obstruction and sentenced him to two to four years of prison.

It was Solano who brought an unconscious Castillo from the frat library to the Chinese General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

He initially told police that he found Castillo lying on the road and covered with a blanket. —KG/RF, GMA Integrated News