(UPDATED – 9 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines — The parents of a University of Sto. Tomas first year law student are seeking justice for the death of their 22-year-old son, who they believe was a victim of hazing.
Horacio Tomas Castillo III was found dumped on a sidewalk in Manila and was brought to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival Sunday morning.
A man riding a motorcycle, who was supposed to buy cigarette at a store in Balut, Tondo, saw Saturday night the body of Castillo wrapped in a thick blanket and brought it to the hospital.
In an interview with dzMM radio Monday morning, the student’s father, Horacio Tomas Castillo Jr., said his son joined Aegis Juris Fraternity that supposedly “abhors violence.”
He said the bloated body of his son, full of drops of candle wax, suffered from hematoma.
“He went through extreme pain and suffering,” said Castillo Jr.
“Harapin niyo ako (Why don’t you face me)! I want justice for my son,” said wife Carmina Castillo in an interview with News5. “My son suffered a heart attack dahil sa sobrang palo (because of being hit repeatedly). Nakita niyo sana ang katawan niya, purple na (You should have seen his body, it was purple).”
After his initiation rites, Horacio told his parents last Saturday that he would attend a welcome ceremony for new fraternity members but did return home anymore.
His parents received a text message early Monday morning that his remains had been brought to Archangel Funeral Homes in Manila from the Chinese General Hospital.
On Monday afternoon, UST said it was already investigating the incident.
In a statement on its verified Facebook page, UST said, “No words can describe our sadness for this unfortunate incident. We express our profound sympathy and offer our prayers to his family for their pain and anguish— a pain that we share seeing that the life of our very own student, with all of its aspirations and potentials, taken away because of a senseless act.”
It condemned hazing in all forms, stressing that violence had no place in its campus, which promoted the values of “charity and compassion”.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators be meted the appropriate sanctions and brought to justice,” UST vowed. “Investigation is on-going to ferret out the truth, determine liability and institute the necessary legal actions.”
Meanwhile, Aegis Juris Fraternity said it would cooperate in the investigation of the incident.
“The fraternity extends its condolences to the bereaved family of Horacio in these trying times,” it said.
According to Twitter reports, several other neophytes had not yet been accounted for. News5 tried to get the fraternity’s response to this, but their office in Manila was closed.
Senate Committee on Youth Chairperson Senator Joel Villanueva condemned the “senseless act of violence,” saying in a press release, “No type of brotherhood can ever equate to the sanctity of life.”
“As a UST alumnus, I am deeply concerned at this recent event and urge the UST and the proper authorities to investigate and hold the people accountable for this unfortunate incident involving our fellow Thomasian,” Villanueva added. “Let it always be known that violence has no room in an institution that upholds Christian values and ideals.”
In a statement, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL)-Philippines, which is a Bureau Member of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), condemned the apparent result of “hazing and any senseless violence in any form, by anyone, for any purpose.”
Law students must not waste their lives and sacrifice their future and the hopes of their families for some attractive yet parochial and transitory end, NUPL said in a statement.
“The practice of brutal hazing at this day and age is a throwback to the ancient times when truth and loyalty are tested by the uncivilized use of brute force, suffering, even torture.
“Sadly, the climate of State violence and impunity today engenders this present insanity.
“The sense of belonging can best be found and becomes meaningful when the study and practice of law is dedicated to getting together and linking in arms with the people to change society and fight the daily violence of injustice and inequity in our lives.”
Click and watch the video report below:
In the video below, News5 anchor Ed Lingao expounds on the issue of fraternity hazing:
