SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri called on key government agencies, including the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Education, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to intensify public awareness about the dangers and legal consequences of fraternity hazing.

Zubiri’s call follows the recent conviction of those responsible for the hazing death of Horacio ‘Atio’ Castillo III and the death of another 18-year-old student in Nueva Ecija — two young lives tragically cut short by the barbaric practice of physical initiations or hazing.

Zubiri emphasized the need for an extensive information campaign to educate students and the public about the severe consequences of engaging in practices that involve physically hurting neophytes to join a fraternity or brotherhood.

Zubiri, a former Senate President, noted that Castillo’s killers were convicted under the 1995 Anti-Hazing Law, not under the 2018 version, meaning no school official was held accountable for the student’s death.

“It saddens me. It really was sad that time because the father of Atio Castillo is actually my classmate in San Agustin. His daughter was working for me as an intern when he died. So, just one afternoon I arrived in the office and she was just crying. And she told me that they found a lifeless body of her brother,” he shared.

Although glad that 10 fraternity members were convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua, Zubiri expressed regret that school officials were not punished as well.

He pointed out that since 2018, many young men have died or suffered due to hazing, as some fraternities continue to cling to this brutal tradition.

Notable deaths include:

1. Darwin Dormitorio, PMA cadet, September 2019
2. Omer Despabiladeras, Tau Gamma Phi, February 2020
3. Robert John Limpioso Fernandez, Alpha Kappa Rho, August 2020
4. Joselito Envidiado, Tau Gamma Phi, November 2020
5. Jonash Bondoc, collegiate hazing, July 2021
6. Mark Lester Miranda, September 2021
7. George Karl Magsayo, PNPA hazing, September 2021
8. Reymarc Rabutazo, Tau Gamma Phi, March 2022
9. Jaypee De Guzman Ramores, police hazing, July 2022
10. August Caesar Saplot, Alpha Kappa Rho, September 2022
11. Ronnel Baguio, Tau Gamma Phi, December 2022
12. John Matthew Salilig, Tau Gamma Phi, February 2023
13. Ahldryn Lery Bravante, Tau Gamma Phi, October 2023
14. Vince Andrew Delos Reyes, collegiate hazing, July 2024
15. Ren Joseph Bayan, Tau Gamma Phi, September 2024

Zubiri highlighted that despite the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, some sectors in the academic community remain reluctant to eradicate hazing because many faculty members are alumni of fraternities themselves.

He said he plans to talk with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera to issue a strongly worded memo to schools, reminding them that hazing is a criminal act and will be punished under the law.

Zubiri also underscored the importance of involving fraternity leaders in denouncing violent hazing practices.