Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — The Senate invited alumni of the Aegis Juris fraternity to attend its second hearing on the hazing-death of law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo on Wednesday.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chairman, said the following were issued invitations, and may be subpoenaed if they do not attend the investigation.
Atty. Cecilio Jimeno
Atty. Marvi Abo
Atty. Ferdinand Rogelio
Atty. Edzel Canlas
Atty. Henry Pablo
Atty. Gaile Dante Acuzar Caraan II
Atty. Gerald Tristan Villaroman
Atty. Arnel Berberdo
Atty. Allan Christopher Agati
Atty. Alston Kevin Anarna
Atty. Eric Fuentes
Nathaniel Anarna Jr.
Milfen Alvarado
Ronald Cheng
Castillo died during fraternity initiation rites. His parents found him in a morgue on September 18.
In the first hearing on September 25, senators grilled hazing suspect and fraternity member John Paul Solano.
Solano said he was not part of the initiation rites and was merely called to check on Castillo’s condition. He is facing charges of violating the Anti-Hazing Law, murder, and robbery.
He was earlier identified as the bystander who found and brought Atio to the hospital. He was later on tagged in the case after police found out he was a member of the fraternity.
Solano said he was told to lie about how he happened to see Castillo, but did not give names as to who instructed him to do so. He said he would bare details on Castillo’s death in a sworn statement.
READ: Solano: I was not alone when Atio was brought to hospital
Meanwhile, University of Sto. Tomas law Dean Nilo Divina, who joined Aegis Juris in 1986, said he is no longer an active member of the fraternity. Divina also denied partiality towards the fraternity as he suspended and took other sanctions against Aegis Juris members.
Another suspect, Aegis Juris treasurer Jason Robinos, appeared at the Manila Police District. Robinos submitted his affidavit denying involvement in the hazing.
Solano surrendered to authorities on Sept. 2. He was released from detention.
READ: Timeline: The case of Horacio Castillo III
Castillo was laid to rest in the family mausoleum in Parañaque City on Sept. 27.
His death revived calls for a ban on hazing and stricter provisions in the Anti-hazing law or Republic Act 8049.
READ: House bill seeks to ban hazing
Ralph Trangia, a key suspect in the hazing case, also returned to the country after the U.S. Homeland Security extended help to extradite him and his mother.
READ: Suspect in Atio Castillo hazing case arrives in Manila
CNN Philippines’ Amanda Lingao and Ver Marcelo contributed to this report.
