Parents of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III and progressive groups demanded accountability from the University of Santo Tomas and the Faculty of Civil Law following the conviction of the 10 Aegis Juris fratmen over the death of the late civil law freshman on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

In an ambush interview at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC), Atio’s parents Carmina Castillo and Horacio Castillo II said that they would “hold them (UST) responsible” for failing to protect their son.

“We believe that UST should make changes. We are holding them responsible for what they did to our son. They failed as second parents,” she said.

She also urged the University to start checking “their policies and laws.”

“I would like to reiterate that the school, the University, the Civil Law department, [and] the dean himself failed to protect our son,” she added.

According to a report by Philstar.com, UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina “respectfully disagree[d],” with the statements of Atio’s parents about the protection given by the University.

“The University and the faculty have always implemented and upheld policies that promote the safety and welfare of all students,” Divina said, according to a report on Philstar.com.

“Unfortunately, no institution is spared from the actions of individuals who choose to disregard these measures,” the Civil Law dean added.

He then assured that UST continuously improves its policies and laws to “prevent a repetition of such tragedy.”

Progressive groups on protecting rights and lives of students

Several progressive groups and organizations held a prayer offering for Castillo on Tuesday afternoon at Laong Laan St. in front of the old office of the Aegis Juris fraternity.

The groups consist of Rise for Education - Espana Alliance, Kabataan Partylist, League of Filipino Students, and others.

Members of Atio’s political party also called for UST to speak up about the issue and be accountable, especially since this goes beyond the University and lives are at stake.

“In the seven years of his death, we did not hear anything from the admin, not even from the Faculty of Civil Law,” a leader of Atio’s former political party said in a mix of English and Filipino.

They demanded UST to “provide stricter measures in protecting the rights and the lives of students.”

The Manila RTC found the 10 Aegis Juris fratmen guilty of violating the Anti-Hazing of 1995 and will suffer reclusion perpetua and collectively pay a determined fine.

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