DOJ sets hazing death probe for Wednesday

Slain University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horatio ‘Atio’ Castillo III (Photo: horaciocastilloIII/Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) will start the preliminary investigation on the criminal charges filed against John Paul Solano and 17 other suspects in the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

A three-member panel headed by Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva will conduct the preliminary investigations on Oct. 4 and 9 at 2 p.m.

Solano, the primary suspect of the police in the fatal hazing, is expected to attend in preliminary investigations.
He is facing complaints for murder, obstruction of justice, perjury, robbery, and violation of Anti-Hazing Law which were filed by the Manila Police District (MPD).

Other suspects facing complaints for murder and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law are other members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity as well members of its sister organization, Regina Sorority.

They are Antonio Trangia and his son Ralph; Arvin R. Balag, Mhin Wei R. Chan, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Oliver John Audrey B. Onofre, Jason Adolfo Robiños, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Karl Mathew Villanueva, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Axel Munro Hipe, Marc Anthony Ventura, Aeron Salientes, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro and Jose Miguel Salamat.

Ralph Trangia, another primary suspect, reportedly fled to Chicago a couple of days after the incident and before the LBO was issued.

The MPD, in its complaint, noted that a complaint for obstruction of justice will also be filed against Mrs. Rosemarie Trangia, Ralph’s mother.

Also on Oct. 4, the Castillo family is expected to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II met the Castillo family last week and has set a meeting with President Duterte on Wednesday.

During their meeting, the family has expressed concerns that those involved in the death of Atio belong to wealthy and influential families.

Aguirre also said the Castillo family can be placed under the protective coverage of the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Solano surrendered to Senator Panfilo Lacson last Sept. 22 and was turned over to MPD that same day.

Last Sept. 27, the DOJ issued a resolution ordering the release of Solano over invalid arrest and inquest proceedings by the police.

Solano has denied involvement in the hazing last Sept. 16 and claimed he was only called by fraternity brothers to revive the already “half-dead” Castillo at their “fraternity library” at Laong Laan Street in Sampaloc.

Solano was the one who took Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital after sustaining injuries that led to his death during the initiation rites of the Aegis Juris Fraternity.