DOJ urged: Make hazing suspect a state witness

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) can turn the driver of one of the suspects in the hazing death of 22-year-old Horacio Castillo III into a state witness, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.

Zubiri was referring to Romeo Laboga, a driver who works for the family of Ralph Trangia – one of the suspects in the case – and the one who reportedly brought Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital (CGH) on the morning of Sept. 17.

“I personally feel for the DOJ to locate this guy and make him the state witness. Why? He’s not a frat member. He has no stake at this. He’s just an employee of the poor guy who ends up bringing a dead body, Atio Castillo, which is a result of a criminal activity, to the hospital,” the senator told ANC.

Zubiri said the Senate committee on public order, which is conducting an inquiry into the incident, will invite Laboga to the next hearing.