MPD chief bares bid to cover-up Castillo hazing

Some members of the Aegis Juris fraternity allegedly attempted to “cover-up” and “conceal” the participation of their younger “brothers” in the hazing that led to the death of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo last month, Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, director of the Manila Police District (MPD), told senators on Wednesday.

Citing a Facebook chat thread the MPD retrieved early October, Coronel said Aegis Juris alumni and members intended to “cover-up, conceal, avoid, and evade investigation and prosecution” on Castillo’s case.

Coronel said this is contrary to the statement released by the Aegis Juris that its members will cooperate in the investigation, as well as help in producing evidence for the case.

The chat group, he said, was created September 17, hours after Castillo died. It included 30 active alumni and members of the fraternity.

Of the members in the chat group, Coronel said at least 18 Aegis Juris discussed their next steps after the fatal initiation rites of their brother and agreed to meet in a hotel in Cubao, Quezon City, on the same day.

Most of the personalities mentioned were invited to attend the hearing by Senator Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate Public Order Committee. But only “grand prefectus” (GP) Arvin Balag, Jose Miguel Salamat, and Ferdinand “Bongget” Rogelio appeared.

Lawyer Ma. Cristina Layusa of the Supreme Court’s Office of the Bar Confidante said if lawyers were found to have obstructed the investigation, that could be a ground for disbarment.

The message thread, screenshots of which were presented in the Senate hearing, showed that fraternity members attempted to get rid of the evidence, including the paddle, inside the Aegis Juris fraternity library (frat lib) in Sampaloc, Manila, before police could go there.

“May kaya family niyan. Bukas makakakuha sila ng search warrant sa frat library. Sana malinis na. Sana matanggal na ang paddle doon,” one of the members said.

The thread showed that the frat members also attempted to “take care” of John Paul Solano and Ralph Trangia’s driver, Romeo Labogo, who drove Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital.

“Brod kapag hindi naalagaan yung dalawa or na-briefing, legal implications could be catastrophic,” said another member.

Another suggested “to tell the parents” so they could “temper” them.

One also proposed to inform “right away” their “big brothers” for guidance, citing CCTV cameras and some witnesses caught Castillo being carried out of the Aegis Juris frat lib.

Senators expressed dismay that no one in the message thread urged his colleagues to submit those involved in Castillo’s death before authorities, despite the fraternity’s earlier statement to police that they will cooperate.

Meanwhile, UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said he will not tolerate the cover-up attempt of the Aegis Juris members as he believes they should be penalized.