By Andrea Louise E. San Juan

THE parents of alleged hazing victim Horacio “Atio” T. Castillo III filed their consolidated reply-affidavit on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Department of Justice (DoJ), arguing that their son clearly died due to severe blunt traumatic injuries.

Aegis Juris Fraternity member John Paul Solano, who brought Mr. Castillo’s body to the Chinese General Hospital, had asserted in his counter-affidavit that “the said Medico Legal Report does not provide or state the cause of death of Horacio and that there is a finding therein that Horacio has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).”

However, the parents of Mr. Castillo, Horacio M. Castillo Jr. and Carminia T. Castillo, maintained their son died due to severe blunt traumatic injuries as even confirmed by forensic pathologist Maria Cecilia Lim of the University of the Philippines-College of Medicine during at the Senate’s Nov. 6 hearing.

“The cause of death of our son, Atio, was clearly severe blunt traumatic injuries in both of his upper arms, which resulted in rhabdomyolysis, which in turn resulted in acute kidney failure,” Carminia and Horacio Jr. said.

“I would agree with the impression of the Philippine National Police that the patient had an acute kidney failure, secondary to the rhabdomyolysis, secondary to the multiple blunt force trauma,” Ms. Lim had told the Senate.

“Thus, it is beyond dispute that Atio’s injuries, which he sustained as a result of the hazing inflicted upon him by Aegis Juris, is evidently serious in nature as to have been the proximate cause of his death,” a portion of the reply-affidavit reads.

Mr. Castillo’s death certificate was also cited thus: “However, the same document clearly stated that such finding was still pending histopathological result, which in turn, declared that Mr. Castillo’s cause of death is ’Severe blunt traumatic injuries, both upper limbs’.”

With this conclusion, Mr. and Ms. Castillo argued there is probable cause to charge respondents with violation of Republic Act (RA) 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

Respondents are also accused of violating Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code or Murder.

“Here it is beyond dispute that Atio was a ’solo flight’ neophyte. In contrast, Respondent-members are numerous in number, and they ganged upon Atio in subjecting him to physical and psychological torture as a prerequisite to admission to Aegis Juris, which ultimately caused his death.,” Mr. and Ms. Castillo said.

“Hence, they should be held liable for the murder of our son,” they added.

The complainants also argued there is probable cause to charge respondents with violation of Article 298 of the Revised Penal Code or Robbery for taking Mr. Castillo’s personal properties which include cellphone, eyeglasses and other personal effects.

In total, there are 31 respondents who are accused of murder, robbery and violating RA 8049.

On the other hand, 23 respondents are accused of committing perjury and obstruction of justice.

Among the respondents are University law Dean Nilo T. Divina and alleged Aegis Juris Fraternity president Arvin R. Balag.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva gave respondents until Nov. 16, Thursday, to file their rejoinder.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR