01/10/2024
Today, on the 1st of October, 2024, the Manila City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 11 submitted its verdict on the case of Atio’s death.
We, TINDIG UST - AB, along with the S.D.P., L.A.P.I.S., LAKAS-L.O.O.B., LAKAS-C.H.O.R.V.A., TINDIG-S.H.S., & KABATAAN-ITO, stand with the decision of the RTC. The RTC ruled guilty against ten members (Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Hipe, Ralph Trangia, Oliver Onofre, Joshua Macabali, Robin Ramos, Marcelino Bagtang, Hans Rodrigo, & Jose Salamat) of the Aegis Juris Fraternity for violating the Anti-hazing law that led to the death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.
The country still remembers Atio, a UST law freshman, who was victimized by hazing initiation. This resulted in his death on September 17, 2017, at the hands of Aegis Juris. His death prompted the University of Santo Tomas to suspend the recognition of all fraternities, sororities, and similar organizations. This incident also pushed the House of Representatives to amend the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995, now recognized as the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 (RA 11053), to outright ban all forms of hazing rather than just merely regulate it.
This celebration will not end today but will continue for a long time to commemorate this justice. We hope this solemnity will bring peace to the mourning hearts but not allow us to forget our beloved Horatio.
Sa paglipas ng pitong taon, nakamit natin ang panawagang mabigyang hustisya ang pagkamatay ni “Atio”. Katuwang ng bawat organisasyong naninindigan para sa makabuluhang araw na ito, sinusuportahan ng TINDIG UST-AB ang desisyon ng RTC na panagutin ang frat na Aegis Juris.
Tulad ng matagumpay na pagkamit ng hustisya para kay “Atio”, ating ipagpapatuloy ang panawagang itakwil ang marahas na kultura ng mga frat at hingin ang hustisya para sa bawat indibidwal na naging biktima ng hazing! Ang kaso at pagkamatay ni “Atio” ay hindi malilimutan at magsisilbing rason upang ipagpatuloy ang ating panawagan.