Moment of truth at Senate today

Aegis Juris fratmen face congressional probe on Atio’s death

The Senate has ordered 14 members of the infamous Aegis Juris fraternity tagged in the killing 22-year-old Horacio “Atio” Castillo III to appear in the hearing today, Wednesday, October 18.

Senator Panfilo Lacscon, chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs leading the Senate probe, issued a subpoena against 14 Aegis Juris members to shed light on the fatal hazing at the resumption of their investigation at 9:30 a.m.

Among them was Ralph Trangia, who escaped with his mother to the United States and recently flew back to Manila and submitted himself to au- thorities.

Also summoned were Arvin Balag, Aeron Salientes, Mhin Wei Chan, Mark Anthony Ventura, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Zimon Padro, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Karl Matthew Villanueva, Jose Miguel Salamat, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Axel Munro Hipe, and Marcelino Bagtang.

These personalities who have been wanted since Castillo’s death are now facing charges for murder, robbery, and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law before the Department of Justice.

Lacson, in a phone interview yesterday, said the subpoenas were due to their non-attendance in the public order committee’s first hearing last Sept 25.

“Dapat dumating sila kasi subpoena yung inisyu sa kanila…kapag hindi sila dumalo maaari silang ma-cite for contempt sa Senate at saka yung kumite, pwede sila ipaaresto” he told reporters. Solano testimony The Senate, meanwhile, is set to reveal in tomorrow’s hearing the testimonies made by John Paul Solano, the primary suspect in the killing, during their Sept 25 executive session.

Lacson said that before they disclose tomorrow the transcript of Solano’s statement, senators will have a caucus to discuss “how to go about the declassification of the information” Solano gave. He said they “will share many of it.”

“Kung hindi niya ibabahagi ng kusang loob, eh mapipilitan ang kumite at ilalabas din yung kanyang testimony. At yun ay pwede naming ibahagi rin sa DOJ o sa MPD (Manila Police District) na nagsasagawa ng investigation. So call niya yun,” Lacson warned.

The Senate earlier decided to make public Solano’s confidential statements due to his failure to submit to the DOJ his supposed affidavit, his reason for invoking his right against self-incrimination in the Sept 25 hearing.

DOJ welcomes probe Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II welcomed the decision of the Senate to release the testimony of Solano over the death Castillo.

“It is good so it will be considered as part of the evidence in the case,” said Aguirre in a text message.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently conducting the preliminary investigation over the criminal complaints filed by Atio’s parents and the Manila Police District (MPD) against those involved in the death of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) law student.

Solano has been named as a respondent in the complaints.