DOJ reopens probe on Atio hazing

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) will reopen today its preliminary investigation on the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III by members of the Aegis Juris fraternity.

Assistant Prosecutor Attorney II Wendell Bendoval said the hearing on the charges of murder, hazing and obstruction of justice against the fraternity members would resume after the case was submitted for resolution.

Bendoval said the panel has received on Jan. 3 the affidavit of Marc Anthony Ventura, one of the 37 respondents who turned state witness, from the DOJ’s witness protection program.

During earlier hearings, Ventura did not submit his sworn statement, which provided the details on what took place during the Aegis Juris initiation rites that led to the death of Castillo on Sept. 17, 2017.

 “It’s material evidence we have to consider. So we have to reopen the preliminary investigation. We can’t resolve the case if the evidence is incomplete,” Bendoval explained.

Ventura is expected to appear during the hearing at 2 p.m. today to subscribe to his affidavit.

Bendoval said the respondents would be given copies of the affidavit and would be required to submit their comments in the next hearings. 

In a six-page affidavit submitted to the DOJ last October,Ventura said 23 members of Aegis Juris were present during Castillo’s initiation rites held at the fraternity library.

Ventura tagged nine new names in his affidavit. They are Edric Pilapil, Zach Abulencia, Daniel Ragos, Dave Felix, Sam Cagalingan, Alex Cairo, Luis Kapulong, Kim Cyrill Roque and Ged Villanueva.

The witness also confirmed the participation of fraternity president Arvin Balag, master initiator Axel Munro Hipe and 12 others who had been 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.

Ventura said a female companion of Bose was present during the hazing.

According to the witness, the initiation rites started at 2 a.m. with a prayer.

He said they asked Castillo to do some stretching before proceeding with the initiation rites.

Ventura said fraternity members started the hazing by punching Castillo’s arms.

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

 After the third hit, the initiators asked Castillo if he could still endure the process to which he answered yes, according to the affidavit.

Castillo collapsed after the fourth hit, Ventura said.

He said they sought the assistance of John Paul Solano, another fraternity member who has a medical background, to help revive Castillo who still had a pulse at the time.

When Solano failed to revive Castillo, they decided to bring him to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The other respondents have submitted their respective answers to the complaint filed by the Manila Police District and Castillo’s parents Horacio Jr. and Carminia.

They all denied the criminal liabilities and sought dismissal of the charges.