Remulla urges fraternities to shun violent initiation rites

MANILA – Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday urged fraternities to ditch violence, following the conviction of 10 University of Santo Tomas fraternity members implicated in the death of law student Horatio "Atio" Castillo III in 2017.

"Fraternities are created by brotherhood, friendship and mutual support where violence never had a place to begin with. To our younger generations, foster real friendships which will empower and give you a better future, not those which cause pain and suffering," Remulla said in a news release.

He said the conviction of the accused in Castillo's death should serve as a warning to those who engage in fraternity hazing.

"You can never evade the law," he stressed.

The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 11 on Tuesday sentenced all accused to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment ranging from 20 to 40 years, aside from the indemnification of Castillo's family after seven long years of rigorous trials and investigations.

"The untimely death of Atio caused pain, agony, anxiety, suffering and mental anguish to his heirs because it deprived them his company, love, support and companionship," Presiding Judge Shirley Paglilauan said in her ruling.

To date, this is the biggest legal victory against fraternity hazing since the passage of Republic Act 11053, also known as the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018, which amended Republic Act 8049, the country's first anti-hazing legislation enacted in 1995.

Remulla hailed Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval, Senior Asst. City Prosecutor Susan Villanueva, former Assistant State Prosecutor and now Judge Claire Eufracia Pagayanan, ASP Honey Rose Delgado, and Prosecution Attorney Criselda Teoxon-Yanga for successfully prosecuting the case which led to the conviction of the accused.

He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Atio's family as well for trusting the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"Thank you for placing your trust and confidence in us, thank you for believing in justice, you empower us to strive for excellence in upholding the rule of law," Remulla told the Castillo family.

The Castillo family has earlier thanked the DOJ for its active prosecution of the case which led to the milestone court victory.

In an article published by UST's Varsitarian, the parents of Castillo commended the DOJ for establishing a "very good" prosecution team, producing vital evidence to solidify the cases against the accused members of the Aegis Juris fraternity

Castillo's mother, Carmina, went on to praise the relentless efforts of the handling prosecutors expressing their family's confidence to win this case before the court's promulgation. (PNA)