Aguirre offers government protection to Ralph Trangia

MANILA, Philippines--Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has offered government protection to fratman Ralph Trangia and family, one of the respondents in the fatal hazing of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III.

In a statement on Tuesday, Aguirre said that Trangia "could be a potential witness" in the murder, robbery and anti-hazing case against the members of Aegis Juris Fraternity.

"[I] reiterate the DOJ's invitation to anyone who knows anything about what happened to Mr. Atio Castillo to come forward and to tell the truth," Aguirre added.

Trangia, accompanied by his mom, returned to the country from the US on Tuesday morning. He was accompanied by immigration officers and members of the PNP when he arrived at the NAIA Terminal 1.

He is facing murder, robbery, anti-hazing and obstruction of justice complaints filed by the Manila Police District and the Castillo couple.

His mother, Rosemarie, is facing a separate complaint of obstruction of justice.

The justice chief also said that he hopes Trangia's return to the country is "covered in good intentions to clear his name and tell the truth."

The Department of Justice has already started the preliminary investigation on Castillo's case.

On Monday, the DOJ held a hearing where Atio's parents added UST Faculty of Law Dean Nilo Divina, and Aegis Juris Fraternity trustees to the growing list of respondents in the case.

The Castillos, in their new complaint, impleaded Divina and UST Law Faculty Secretary Arthur Capili on murder and anti-hazing complaints.

The couple hit Divina and Capili for issuing a blanket suspension on the members of the fraternity that "effectively allowed Respondent-Members to escape undetected and unscathed, and at the very least, to avoid being directly [questioned] by the MPD on Atio's death."

Castillo, a 22-year-old law freshman of UST, is believed to be a victim of the welcoming rites of the Aegis Juris Fraternity.

The DOJ will resume its preliminary investigation on October 24, where the respondents are expected to file their defense through counter-affidavits.