Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 6) — A Senate panel resumes today its investigation on the death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.
This is the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs’ third hearing on the death of Castillo, who died after his hazing rites with the Aegis Juris Fraternity on September 17.
It last held a hearing on October 18, where 14 members of the fraternity attended, and invoked their right against self-incrimination.
READ: Aegis Juris president urged hazing suspect to lie, Solano testimony shows
Speaking to CNN Philippines on Friday, Senator Win Gatchalian said he wants to further investigate the responsibility of the University of Sto.Tomas in the incident, which he believes was not clearly tackled in the last hearing.
“Ano ‘yung ginagawa nilang mga proactive measures para hindi mangyayari itong hazing sa kanilang eskwelahan,” Gatchalian said.
[Translation: What proactive measures will they enforce to ensure hazing won’t happen in their university.]
UST earlier said it had done its part in looking into Atio’s death.
“(UST) immediately created a committee to investigate and ferret out the truth observing the due process requirements of the law,” it said in an earlier official statement.
READ: UST stresses commitment to Atio Castillo hazing case
Gatchalian is the author of Senate Bill No. 199 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2016, which introduces stiffer penalties on hazing. The bill is pending before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Gatchalian would also like the Senate to tie up loose ends regarding the meeting of Aegis Juris members held at the Novotel hotel in Cubao, Quezon City after the hazing.
“In that past hearing tinanong natin kung sino yung nagbayad noong bill sa Novotel kasi nakakapagtaka ang hazing nasa UST pero ‘yung meeting nila nasa Novotel, which is on the other side of the city. Somebody facilitated that meeting and somebody paid for that meeting in Novotel,” said Gatchalian.
[Translation: In that past hearing, we asked who paid for the Novotel bill because it’s questionable that the hazing happened in UST but they met up in Novotel, which is on the other side of the city. Somebody facilitated that meeting and somebody paid for that meeting in Novotel.]
Last October 18, police showed Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showing Aegis Juris Fraternity members inside an elevator of the Novotel hotel days after Atio’s death.
The police said some fraternity members tried to “conceal” circumstances behind the death.
READ: Police: Aegis Juris attempted to ‘cover up, conceal’ UST law student’s death
Meanwhile, Committee chairperson Ping Lacson said they intend to wrap up the inquiry in aid of legislation.
Lacson said they hope to submit recommendations that can give teeth to provisions of the RA 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.
“Hopefully, we can come up with a conclusive committee report recommending amendments to R.A. 8049 and further strengthening some of the existing provisions,” Lacson said.
He added those who were invited in the last hearing but did not attend have been served subpoenas.
Lacson said if they fail to appear at Monday’s hearing, they could be cited for contempt and ordered arrested and detained.
Last October 18, alleged Aegis Juris president Arvin Balag was cited in contempt for repeatedly refusing to answer questions from the senators.
Balag remains detained at the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-arms. On October 30, he submitted his counter affidavit calling for the dismissal of murder and violation of the anti-hazing law charges filed against him, as the charges lacked merit and probable cause.
Meanwhile, one fraternity member, Marc Ventura, has turned up at the Justice Department and revealed details on Castillo’s tragic death. The government has deemed Ventura’s statement credible, and he is now a state witness.
READ: Aegis Juris president struck final blow that rendered Atio unconscious — state witness
