MANILA – The parents of Horacio “Atio Castillo” made an emotional appeal Monday at the preliminary investigation of the hazing death of the University of Sto. Tomas law student.
They asked all those who have knowledge of how their son died, and who were responsible for it, to surface and speak up, even as they added more names to the list of people they charged, led by UST Law Dean Nilo Divina.
At one point in the hearing, Atio’s mother Carmina recalled waiting up for him each night: “Naghihintay ako na mag-goo-goodnyt siya, pero wala na [I wait for him to say goodnight, but that’s all gone now].”
Horacio II, his father, added, “every night we go to his room, it is vacant.”
Besides Dean Divina, among the names the Castillos added to their supplemental complaint were members of the Aegis Juris Foundation board of trustees: William Merginie, Cezar Tirol, Oscar Ce, Alexander Flores, Alvi Dysangco, Emmanuel Velasco, Henry Pablo, Gabriel Robeniol, Michael Joseph Fernandez, Allan Christopher Agati, Paulino Yusi, Arthur Capili, Arnel Bernardo, Edwin Uy, and several John and Jane Does
In the supplemental complaint, the Castillos filed charges of murder, violation of the anti-hazing law, perjury and obstruction of justice.
The couple said they could not forgive the killers of Atio. “What they did is unforgivable. I want justice for all of them. What they did is unforgivable. Grabe sila,” said Carmina.
Horacio for his part said, “meron din silang mga anak. ‘Wag sana mangyari sa kanila [They have children too; I don’t wish this on them]. Painful. Every morning we miss our son. We still think about our son.
According to the supplemental complaint, Dean Divina knew what happened to Atio, but did not inform Castillo’s family.
“It seems that the dean was aware that Atio was undergoing [initiation rites] or a neophyte. It was during that day, UST is flooded. His mom asked where he was, and he said in a law office,” said Lorna Kapunan, lawyer of the Castillos.
For the first time, the Castillos met the employees of Chinese General Hospital who responded to their son when Atio was brought there.
Other witnesses, such as the Uber driver who brought Atio’s belongings to the young man, were also at the hearing.
“Come out and tell the truth, Maawa naman kayo sa family namin,” Horacio said in his public appeal to witnesses, while thanking those who have already surfaced.
Suspects John Paul Solano and Jason Robiños also attended the hearing.
The Manila Police District also submitted to prosecutors some of the evidence taken from the fraternity library, including the disc of the CCTV footage.
The respondents’ camp, meanwhile filed a motion to exclude the evidence taken from the Aegis Juris Library, calling this the “fruit of a poisonous tree.”
The DOJ panel gave respondents until October 24 to reply to the complaint.
They have until October 30 to respond to the supplemental complaint.
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