SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian commended the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 after it rejected the bid of 10 Aegis Juris fraternity members to dismiss the case filed against them in relation to the death of Horacio ‘Atio’ Castillo III.

Castillo, a freshman law student of the University of Santo Tomas, died during a fraternity hazing.

“This is a big win in our crackdown against hazing, and most importantly, a big step forward in our quest to give justice to Castillo. If the fratmen are found guilty, they may face up to 40 years in prison under the old anti-hazing law or the Republic Act 8049,” the chairman of the Senate Committee Education, Arts and Culture said.

Gatchalian added that he started pushing for a stronger crackdown on hazing activities when he filed House Bill 5714 as a Representative of Valenzuela in the 16th Congress.

However, he admitted that it was the outcry following the death of Castillo that finally pushed the 17th Congress to pass the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 or Republic Act 11053.

“Today, the message is clear to hazing perpetrators: MANANAGOT KAYO SA BATAS,” he stressed.

The senator added that as justice takes its course on the death of Castillo, it becomes crucial that the full force of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 is implemented.

“Hindi na natin maaaring tanggapin na may lugar pa ang karahasan sa pagsulong ng kapatiran. At hindi na natin dapat hayaang may buhay pang mawakasan dahil sa ganitong uri ng mga karahasan,” Gatchalian  said.