Press Release
September 25, 2017

OPENING STATEMENT FOR THE INQUIRY ON THE KILLING OF HORACIO CASTILLO III

https://pinglacson.net/2017/09/25/at-the-hearing-on-the-fatal-hazing-of-horacio-castillo-iii/

Borrowing the wisdom of no less than the Supreme Court, Horacio Tomas Castillo III, like Lenny Villa and the other neophytes joining fraternities, entailed a leap in the dark. By giving consent under the circumstances, they left their fates in the hands of the fraternity members. Quoting from Villareal vs. People of the Philippines. G.R. No. 151258:

"Unfortunately, the hands to which lives were entrusted were barbaric as they were reckless."

Let us cut to the chase, and spare the grieving family of denials with respect to his death caused by the misery of hazing in his initiation rights with the Aegis Juris Fraternity. His body, photos of which have circulated on every news channel, clearly outlined what happened to him on the night of September 16, 2017.

After dubbing themselves as "The Lawyer Factory," I assume the principle of Res Ipsa Loquitur (The thing speaks for itself) is more or less basic. To begin this inquiry, allow me to post my preliminary question to everyone present here: Do these photos speak for the practices of this brotherhood?

Under oath, with the possibility of being denied admission to the Bar or being disbarred, one must think long and hard before thinking of lying to persons advocating justice for the untimely demise of Atio Castillo.

A little history tells us that Aegis Juris means "Shield of Justice." With the progress of the ongoing investigation, I fervently hope that the shield of justice will not turn out to be the "Shield from Justice."

Today, let us aim to shed light sufficient enough to guide the grieving family towards justice. As avowed by the Court in Sibal vs. People, the senseless deaths of these young men shall never be forgotten, for justice is the spark that lights the candles of their graves.

Let us proceed.

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