Aegis Juris met in hotel, majority tried to avoid probe: MPD

MPD Police Station near the Manila Hotel and Quirino Grandstand (Photo by Jun Sanchez – http://wikimapia.org/15636522/Manila-Police-District#/photo/1122780, CC BY 3.0)

MANILA — Manila Police District (MPD) head, Supt. Joel Coronel, said Wednesday that Facebook chat conversations among some Aegis Juris fraternity brothers showed that they met in a hotel and discussed attempts to “cover up, conceal and evade” investigation and prosecution.

During the second hearing on the hazing death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, Coronel presented the chat conversations among frat members on September 17 and 18.

Coronel said the Aegis Juris Fraternity issued a statement, saying they will cooperate in the investigation.

However, some 30 personalities showed attempts to protect their members.

“Despite the frat’s claim of cooperating with investigators, they gave investigators no support or cooperation,” Coronel said.

“Some wanted to face the problems, but a great majority advocated that they avoid prosecution, having concerns for their fraternity brothers involved,” he added.

He said that of the 30 personalities, the MPD identified 19 who met at Novotel Hotel.

Among the personalities identified was law student Jose Miguel Salamat, who was asked by senators to name others present during their meeting but he said he could no longer remember.

Supreme Court Office of the Bar Confidante lawyer, Ma. Cristina Layusa, who was present during the hearing, said the grounds for disbarment can be found in the code of conduct for lawyers.

As for non-lawyers, Layusa said students are allowed to take the bar exams but once they pass, they will not be allowed to take their oath unless the cases against them are dismissed. (PNA)