DOJ begins ‘Atio’ hazing death probe
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday started its preliminary investigation on the death of fraternity hazing victim and University of Santo Tomas freshman law student Horacio Tomas “Atio” Castillo III.
Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva, who chairs the panel of prosecutors handling the case, gave the complainants additional time to submit supplemental complaints and additional documentary evidence on Monday, October 9.
Villanueva said the respondents will be given until October 24 to file their respective counter-affidavits in response to the accusations against them.
Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, the legal counsel of Castillo family, told the panel that they are considering including in the complaint UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina and other school officials.
Because of this, Kapunan said she also intends to file before the panel also a transcript of the Senate hearings conducted over the incident as she pointed out that Senators have voiced the liability of university officials.
Lawyer Rico Betic, the counsel of the Manila Police District (MPD), said he will also submit this Monday the sworn affidavits of witnesses and additional evidence which include, hopefully, records phone activities communications provided by telecommunications companies and the results of the DNA tests conducted by police at the Aegis Juris fraternity library where the initiation rite of Castillo was held.
Aegis Juris fratman John Paul Solano’s counsel, Paterno Esmaquel, also filed before the panel a motion to strike-out the judicial affidavit of Solano dated Seeptember 17.
Esmaquel explained the judicial affidavit was signed by Sr. Insp. Rommel Anicete to make it appear that it was subscribed before the police official when, in fact, the police official was not present that day.
Even if it was subscribed before Anicete, Esmaquel pointed out in his motion that the judicial affidavit is inadmissible as evidence since “it was made in violation of Solano’s right to be informed of nature and cause of the accusation against him and his right to counsel during investigation.”
Last September 25, the MPD filed criminal complaints before the DOJ against 18 persons believed involved in the Aegis Juris fraternity initiation rites which led to the death of of the 22-year-old UST law student.
Apart from Solano, likewise charged were Ralph Trangia, Trangia’s parents Antonio and Rosemarie, Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Ranie Refael Santiago, Olier John Audrey Onofre, Jason Adolfo Robinos, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Karl Matthew Villanueva, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Axel Munro Hipe, Marc Anthony Ventura, Aeron Salientes, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro, and Jose Miguel Salamat.
All respodents are accused of murder, perjury, robbery, obstruction of justice, and violation of Republic Act 8049, the Anti-Hazing Law.
Among the suspects, Solano was the only one who surrendered to the MPD but was eventually freed. Ralph Trangia flew to the United States with his mother. MPD investigators said on the morning of September 17 Castillo was brought to the Chinese General Hospital by Solano using a red Mitsubishi Strada with plate number ZTV-539.