Augustinians unite to speak, demand justice, action
Concerned students and alumni of Colegio San Agustin (CSA) Makati united to seek justice for slain law student Horacio Castillo III.
( Photo Grabbed from JL Gantuangco's Facebook profile picture.)
The 22-year-old freshman of University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law and high school graduate of CSA Makati died of a heart attack due to injuries from the hazing rites conducted by some members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity.
According to the statement released last September 28, 170 Augustinian brothers and sisters united to speak out and demand action from UST, House of Representatives, and other significant institutions in relation to the murder of Horacio III.
“We call upon the authorities of the University of Santo Tomas, of the Republic of the Philippines, and of all other institutions and departments involved to act upon this issue immediately. We demand justice for Horacio and the many victims of such heinous and despicable crimes,” the statement read.
The Augustinians added, “Prayer alone is not enough. Without action, words are just words. We demand changes to the system which clearly fails to protect students from harm, and fails to hold people accountable for their actions – or the lack of it.”
The document further stated that the Augustinians urged the administration of the university should “take responsibility, and expose all members involved with the murder.”
The students and the alumni of CSA Makati also called for UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina to
“cooperate with the authorities, without fear or favor, during the investigations.”
“We call for Dean Nilo T. Divina of the UST Faculty of Law to cooperate with the authorities, without fear or favor, during the investigations, in light of his association with Aegis Juris, and his failure to properly implement or comply with RA 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law,” the statement, with mostly CSA Makati Batch 2013 signees, said.
The Augustinians urged the people who were involved in the murder to “face the consequences of their actions.”
“You cannot claim to be shields of justice, when all the while you run away from [the consequences of your actions],” it read.
The Augustinians also appealed to the witnesses and people who have information to speak up to help the investigation progress.
“We appeal to all witnesses and people who have information that may help the investigation to step forward,” the statement continued.
The Congress of the Philippines was also called in the document to reassess the current Anti-Hazing Law.
“[The Anti-Hazing Law] fails to serve justice by having little or no power in being a deterrent against hazing, the act it claims to be against,” the Augustinians said.
The participants of the statement, moreover, called out to fraternities and sororities to stop the inhumane tradition and violence.
“We call out to everyone who believes that no one deserves to die like this to stand with us – to keep pushing our government to deliver justice swiftly; to never forget what happened to our friend[...] and the many victims of hazing; and to share the passion Horacio had for the pursuit of justice and the search for truth.”
The altruistic Augustinians have been congregating assistance from alumni, former teachers and counselors of CSA Makati since the news of Horacio III’s death broke out last Sept. 18.
“We have been gathering support from Augustinian alumni, former teachers, and counselors since the news of his death broke out last September 18. We will continue to do so until we find justice for Horacio, and the many victims of hazing,” JL Gantuangco said in a Facebook post, with the full statement attached. RIAN GABRIELLE SABLAN
