CHR to probe death of alleged hazing victim Atio Castillo

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said it would also conduct an investigation on the killing of alleged hazing victim Horacio "Atio" Castillo III.

"Since this is also a case... ang concept naman ng human rights is universal... so we make no distinction who the victim is. What is important is we give emphasis on the rights of all, 'yun nga sa case na 'to... it's a case of hazing so minarapat na rin namin na imbestigahan ito contrary doon sa general notion sa amin na we only investigate those abuses or violations committed by state authorities," CHR investigator Jolly Torres said in an ambush interview with reporters at the Manila Police District.

"What we are after is that the Commission looks after the welfare of ordinary citizens," Torres added.

Torres said they already obtained from authorities a progress report and spot report on the death of the freshman law student from the University of Santo Tomas.

Torres clarified that the agency "makes no distinction" on their mandate to protect and promote human rights.

"Someone is killed, so what we are trying to investigate, number one of course the fact that one is killed," Torres said.

The body of 22-year-old Horacio was said to have been found by John Paul Solano on a sidewalk at the corner of H. Lopez Boulevard and Infanta Street in Balut, Tondo around 8 a.m. on Sunday.

However, barangay officials disputed Solano's claims, saying that no body was found in their area, as also shown in the CCTV camera footage.

The victim's family learned about the incident when mother Carminia Castillo had received an anonymous text message saying that her son was brought to Chinese General Hospital. — MDM, GMA News