A ‘guilty’ verdict was handed down by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 on Tuesday against the ten fraternity members accused in the hazing death of then University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III about seven years ago.
In its decision on Tuesday, the court sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment the accused identified as 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. after they were found guilty of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995.
The court also ordered each of the accused to pay the family of Castillo P461,800 in actual expenses, P75,000 in civil indemnity, P75,000 in moral damages and P75,000 in 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 stated.
It will be recalled that on September 17, 2017 , Atio died after going through initiation rites conducted by the accused who are all members of the Aegis Juris fraternity. Castillo reportedly died due to “severe blunt traumatic injuries.”
Atio was rushed to the Chinese General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Records show that the accused tried to cover up the incident but the investigation by authorities brought out the truth.
In May 2018, the accused were detained at the Manila City Jail after the court ordered their arrest.
It will be recalled that in 2019, initially sentenced by the court was John Paul Solano, who was found ‘guilty’ for obstruction of justice. It was Solano who brought Atio to the hospital.
Solano was sentenced to an imprisonment of from two to four years by the Manila Metropolitan Court Branch 14.
