Uber driver booked by Horacio Castillo surfaces
UST Law freshman Horacio Tomas Castillo III, believed to be a victim of fraternity hazing rites, was dumped on a sidewalk in Balut, Tondo. He told his parents he would attend the "welcome ceremony" of the fraternity Aegis Juris but did not come home the day after. His body was bloated and had candle and cigarette marks and bruising. Photo from Horacio Tomas Castillo III's Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The Uber driver booked by alleged hazing victim Horacio “Atio” Castillo III went to the Manila Police District’s Homicide Section on Tuesday evening to detail his last encounter with the freshman law student who was declared dead on Sunday.
In a report on GMA’s "Unang Balita, the Uber driver, who refused to be named for security purposes, claimed Castillo booked a trip last Saturday. He said they met along Dapitan Street in Manila.
Instead of riding the Uber vehicle, however, Horacio just asked him to deliver his things to his residence in Makati City, the driver said.
"Nakita ko siya, binuksan niya 'yung kotse tapos tinanong niya ko kung puwedeng 'yung bag niya lang 'yung ihahatid sa kanila. Tapos, eh di pumayag po ako, basta titingnan ko lang 'yung laman ng bag," the Uber driver said, adding that the bag only contained school supplies like pad paper and notebooks.
"Ang bilin lang niya sa akin, pagdating ko sa kanila, tawagan ko siya para magbukas ng pinto 'yung katulong nila," he added.
The driver said his last conversation with Horacio was when he arrived at the Castillos' residence and called for further instructions.
"Siguro mga tatlong beses akong tumawag. Hindi niya sinasagot 'yung telepono, parang busy e. 'Yung pang-apat, sinagot na niya, nagkausap kami. 'Yun. Mag-door bell na lang daw ako. Alam na raw ng katulong," the driver said.
"Nag-door bell ako, lumabas 'yung katulong, inabot ko 'yung bag niya. Tapos tinanong nu'ng katulong kung nasaan daw si sir at kung magkaibigan daw kami. Ang sagot ko: 'Hindi sa Uber ako nag-aano, nagda-drive ako sa Uber. Pinahatid lang niya bag dito sa inyo,'" he added.
The Uber driver said he is saddened by Castillo’s passing and alleged he noticed that the victim seemed weary when he booked the trip.
According to the Uber driver, he only learned of Castillo’s death on Tuesday, prompting him to go to the police..
He expressed sympathies to the victim’s family and said he is willing to meet with them.
“Siguro kaya ganoon 'yung reaksyon niya nu'ng nakita ko siya na may pupuntahan siyang hindi maganda, kaya ganu'n 'yung reaksyon ng mukha niya,” the Uber driver said, describing Castillo as sweaty and anxious.
"Parang balisa nga – iyong may iniisip na malalim,” he furthered.
The 22-year-old Castillo died from injuries believed to have been sustained in fraternity hazing rites of the University of Santo Tomas' Aegis Juris. He was dumped on a sidewalk in Balut, Tondo on Sunday morning.
The victim was reportedly brought to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. —Rosette Adel
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