Atio's parents hope hazing suspects won't benefit from GCTA

Persons convicted of hazing should not be allowed to benefit from the good conduct time allowance (GCTA), according to the parents of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III who died due to the abusive initiation rites of a fraternity in September 2017.

"Sana hindi mag-benefit ang hazing [convicts] sa GCTA para talagang ma-serve 'yung 40 years na maximum life imprisonment," Atio's mom, Carminia Castillo, said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"It is disturbing kasi kawawa 'yung mga naka-experience ng ganitong klaseng mga heinous crime only to find out na baka magkaroon din ng early release ito, makinabang din sila," Horacio Castillo Jr., Atio's dad, added.

According to Section 14 of Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018: "The penalty of reclusion perpetua and a fine of three million pesos shall be imposed upon those who actually planned or participated in the hazing if, as a consequence of the hazing, death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation results therefrom."

On the other hand, the revised GCTA rules state that prisoners convicted of heinous crimes—treason, piracy, qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, robbery with violence, destructive arson, rape, plunder, some drug-related offenses, and carnapping with rape or homicide—are ineligible to benefit from it.

Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez said the lower house will conduct a hearing to facilitate a measure that would recognize hazing as a heinous crime.

Atio's parents expressed their view on the GCTA law after a first year cadet in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) met the same tragic fate of Atio.

Fourth Class cadet Darwin Dormitorio died last week after sustaining injuries from hazing in the military school.

Nevertheless, Atio's parents lauded the PMA for the actions it has so far taken in response to the cadet's death.

"At least sa PMA walang nangyaring cover up, they really manned up na inamin na nila and then I also commend 'yung mga nagbigay ng kanilang resignation, inamin nila because of command responsibility na nangyari ito under our watch, tama lang na magresign kami," Carminia said.

"It's like giving leadership by example 'yun eh unlike what happened sa amin sa UST," she added as she recalled finding their son's lifeless body in a funeral parlor after receiving an anonymous text message.

Castillo shared that their family is still disappointed over the university's supposed "inaction" over Atio's death.

"Sana you showed some respect man lang sa amin, sa anak man lang namin. At least sa PMA pinakita nila na nirerespeto nila 'yung family, nirerespeto nila 'yung kadete," she added. — Dona Magsino/MDM, GMA News