AT LEAST three senators expressed satisfaction over the guilty verdict for the 10 accused involved in the hazing that led to the tragic death of University of Santo Tomas law student Atio Castillo.

Senator Joel Villanueva said the verdict shows a commitment to upholding the rule of law and effectively enforcing the Anti-Hazing Law.

“The law must aid our institutions in taking more proactive measures to ensure that this will not happen again. Clearly, there is no place for violence in our society, and these senseless acts must come to an end,” Villanueva said.

For his part, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian noted that the road to justice has been long and challenging, especially for Atio’s family, who waited seven years for this day to come. However, this marks a victory for the rule of law against the evil of hazing.

He reminded the public that Atio’s death sparked outrage and calls for justice, which ultimately led to the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 or Republic Act No. 11053.

“Despite this law, it is tragic that some of our fellow Filipinos still die due to hazing. From 2014 to 2024, mass media reported 17 deaths from hazing, the most recent being a Grade 11 student from Nueva Vizcaya,” Gatchalian said.

“Ang hamon sa bansa ay tiyaking wala nang kapwa Pilipino ang mamatay nang wala sa oras dahil sa mga walang kabuluhang karahasan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said the verdict against Atio’s killers serves as a stern warning to all fraternities and organizations that still refuse to end their culture of hazing, including the fraternity behind the recent death of an 18-year-old student in Nueva Ecija.

“The law will find you, and you will pay for your crimes,” Zubiri said.

“Matagal ang pitong taong paghihintay. And while the court’s verdict will not bring Atio back, we hope it provides some comfort to his family who fought for justice all these years,” he stressed.