DANILO FELICIANO, JR.

, JULIUS VICTOR MEDALLA, CHRISTOPHER

SOLIVA, WARREN L. ZINGAPAN, and ROBERT MICHAEL BELTRAN
ALVIR, Accused-appellants.

DECISION

LEONEN, J.:

It is in the hallowed grounds of a university where students, faculty, and research

personnel should feel safest. After all, this is where ideas that could probably solve the
sordid realities in this world are peacefully nurtured and debated. Universities produce
hope. They incubate all our youthful dreams.

Yet, there are elements within this academic milieu that trade misplaced concepts of
perverse brotherhood for these hopes. Fraternity rumbles exist because of past impunity.
This has resulted in a senseless death whose justice is now the subject matter of this case.
It is rare that these cases are prosecuted. It is even more extraordinary that there are
credible witnesses who present themselves courageously before an able and experienced
trial court judge.

This culture of impunity must stop. There is no space in this society for hooliganism
disguised as fraternity rumbles. The perpetrators must stand and suffer the legal
consequences of their actions. They must do so for there is an individual who now lies
dead, robbed of his dreams and the dreams of his family. Excruciating grief for them will
never be enough.