Witness in Atio hazing to be cleared soon

MANILA, Philippines — Aegis Juris fraternity member Marc Anthony Ventura will soon be dropped from the list of suspects in the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman student Horacio Castillo III, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said yesterday.

At least 37 individuals were charged with murder, hazing and obstruction of justice by Castillo’s parents and the Manila Police District.

But Aguirre explained that Ventura, after submitting a tell-all affidavit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) last week, would consequently be delisted from among those charged.

Ventura, who named at least 23 frat brothers involved in Castillo’s initiation rites at the Aegis Juris library last Sept. 17, was also given full coverage under the witness protection program (WPP).

The justice chief said the DOJ has found Ventura a credible witness.

“For you to be qualified under WPP, you should not appear to be the most guilty. And he is not the most guilty upon our assessment. We saw that it (testimony) was very voluntary on his part. He said he’s ready to face the consequences of his decision with respect to his membership in the fraternity. He’s willing to be expelled,” Aguirre explained.

He added that since Ventura is the only witness they have at this time, his testimony is necessary to successfully prosecute the cases against those responsible for Castillo’s death.

“We don’t know if there will be more witnesses. But, even if we only have him, his testimony is already strong enough,” Aguirre said.

In his affidavit, Ventura named 23 fraternity members present during the initiation rites. He also gave nine new names: Edric Pilapil, Zach Abulencia, Daniel Ragos, Dave Felix, Sam Cagalingan, Alex Cairo, Luis Kapulong, Kim Cyrill Roque and Ged Villanueva.

He also confirmed the participation of their fraternity president Arvin Balag, master initiator Axel Munro Hipe and 12 other members already charged before the DOJ – Ralph Trangia, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Mhin Wei Chan, Daniel Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Karl Matthew Villanueva, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro, Jose Miguel Salamat, Leo Lalusis, Alex Bose and Robin Ramos.

According to him, the initiation started at 2 a.m. with a prayer so that nothing untoward would happen during the rites.

Castillo was then asked to do some stretching exercises before frat members started punching his arms.

Ventura added that they used spatulas in tapping Castillo’s arms to reduce the swelling and calm the muscles, before hitting him with paddles.

After the third paddle hit, the initiators asked Castillo if he could still endure the process to which he answered yes. After the fourth hit at around 5 a.m., the neophyte collapsed.

Ventura said in his affidavit that they then decided to summon John Paul Solano, a member who has medical background, to help revive Castillo.

He added that they already carried Castillo to a vehicle to bring him to a hospital when Solano arrived, prompting them to bring him back to the library where Solano attempted to revive the unconscious victim.

It was only after Solano’s failure that the group allegedly decided to bring him to the Chinese General Hospital, instead of the nearby UST hospital, where Castillo was declared dead.  

Sen. Joel Villanueva urged Ventura to remain strong, believing that other fraternity members are harassing and “ganging up on him.”

Villanueva, a UST alumnus, believes that the whole university community was disgusted with the killing, which did not reflect “Thomasian spirit and values.” 

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which he heads, would hold its final hearing on Nov. 6 and would summon anew all the suspects.

 Aguirre will also be invited as the panel prepares to draft amendments to Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

Lacson said there is a need to formally enter Ventura’s testimony into the Senate records.

During the last hearing, nearly all suspects, expect Solano, invoked their right against self-incrimination. Balag was also cited for contempt and remains detained at the Senate for abusing this right.

            – With Paolo Romero