Hazing death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo

[MikeLigalig.com]

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

HOUSE PUBLIC INFO CHAIR HOPES ATIO HAZING CASE WILL REMAIN A TOP-OF-MIND ISSUE

As Chair of the House Committee on Public Information, I am concerned that with the emergence of new hot news and issues, the hazing death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo, III will be forgotten or buried as a painful memory.

I hope not. Vigilance must be sustained. The death of Atio ought to be the last hazing death. No parent deserves the pain of losing a child through such torture.

As for the latest update on the Atio Castillo case: One of the witnesses in the case yesterday identified three Aegis Juris Fraternity members that he saw carrying Castillo's lifeless body. http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/10/06/Witness-identifies-three-fratmen-in-Castillo-hazing-case.html

The testimony of the witness “Tonio” (not his real name to protect his identity) is vital in the case build-up against the Aegis Juris members. His testimony could also lead to more suspects being implicated in the case.

On the pursuit of suspects who fled abroad: The United States’ Department of Homeland Security has expressed willingness to cooperate in case the Philippine government would seek the deportation of suspects Ralph Trangia and his mother to face charges over the hazing death. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/628562/aguirre-us-authorities-willing-to-help-in-hazing-suspects-deportation/story/

Ralph Trangia and Rosemarie Trangia left for the US on September 19, amid police investigation on the hazing rites conducted by Aegis Juris for Atio, who died on September 17.

As for the proposed Revised Anti-Hazing law (House 3467) that I principally authored, it has already passed the committee level and feasibly will be deliberated at the House floor this coming week. Hopefully, it will be approved on 3rd and final reading before House takes a break on October 12.

Bagong Henerasyon stands for the new generation, our country's future. We will do what we can so that no one else among the new generations will be lost to hazing.