Hazing suspect surrenders
Castillo’s parents oppose any move to turn Solano as state witness
The main suspect in the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III surrendered to Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday. The surrender of John Paul Solano, the person who took Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital, came as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, citing the revelations of two probable witnesses, revealed that the Aegis Juris fraternity has allegedly restrained its members from talking about the initiation rites that led to the death of Castillo.
“Ang sabi sa amin, senior members of the frat ayaw sila palabasin, ayaw pagsalitain at invoke na daw code of silence (We were told that senior fraternity members would not allow them to go out or talk and were ordered to invoke the code of silence),” Aguirre said.
Solano, who was clean-shaven, was accompanied by his lawyer when he
surrendered to Lacson at the senator’s office at the Bonifacio Global City. He was earlier named by the Manila Police District (MPD) as the primary suspect in Castillo’s death.
Also named suspects were Antonio Trangia and his son Ralph, who are both at large. Ralph has already fled the country, taking an Eva Airways flight bound for Taiwan.
With Ralph fleeing the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said that other persons tagged by police as possible suspects in the killing of Castillo will no longer have any chance to leave the country.
BI spokesperson lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang said individuals who were subjects of an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) should present an allow departure order (ADO) from the Department of Justice (DOJ) if they want to leave the country.
Those in the ILBO are Solano, Ralph Trangia, Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Marc Anthony Ventura, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshuo Joriel Macabali, Jason Adolfo Robinos, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Carl Matthew Villanueva, Aeron Salientes, Marcelino Bactang, Zimon Padro, and Jose Miguel Salamat.
On Friday, Aguirre ordered the inclusion of Ged Villanueva, Milfren Alvarado, Daniel Ragos, and Dave Felix in the ILBO.
Aguirre told immigration officers to immediately inform his office, the Office of the Prosecutor General, and the office of Senior Supt. Danilo Macerin of Manila Police District (MPD) “any pertinent information, especially those tending to indicate that the subject individuals are attempting to leave the country, and in order to obtain updates as to the status of the investigations and other relevant information that may be the basis for the proper course of action to be taken by the immigration officers.”
Solano apologizes At a press conference at Lacson’s Bonifacio Global City office, Solano said he was innocent.
“It is getting worse. I want to clear my name. I know myself, I am innocent,” Solano told Lacson.
Solano also apologized for making a false statement. He had initially told police that he does not know Castillo, saying he just found the victim’s body on a pavement in Balut, Tondo, Manila.
But MPD investigators later found out that Solano is a member of the Aegis Juris, the fraternity suspected of being involved in the initiation rites that led to the death of Castillo.
“I would like to apologize for giving a false statement for that matter to the family of Atio [Castillo], for the death of their son. I would shed light to this matter through my attorney,” he told reporters.
Solano denied any involvement in the initiation rites for Castillo, saying his role is only to provide medical assistance.
Solano, a registered medical technologist, said he tried to resuscitate Castillo but when he failed to revive him, he took him to the hospital.
“I’m a medical health provider. They would call me,” Solano said without elaborating.
He declined to give further comments, saying his lawyer will release his official sworn statement.
Solano was later turned over to the MPD, where he will be investigated.
Solano, who was wearing a black shirt and a cap, arrived at MPD before 4 p.m.
“Kami ay nagpapasalamat kay Sen. Lacson, school authorities ng UST, at sa lahat ng tumulong para magkaroon ng breakthrough sa kaso ni Castillo,” MPD spokesman Supt. Erwin Margarejo said.
Margarejo said Solano is set to undergo booking procedures and medical checkup. They are also waiting for his legal counsel.
He also called on Solano’s fraternity brothers to surface now.
“Nananawagan kami sa kanila. Ito na ang tamang panahon na magpaliwanag sa nangyaring insidente,” Margarejo said.
Police are now readying cases of perjury and violation of anti-hazing law against Solano, who had earlier said he is ready to face any charges that may be filed against him.
‘No to Solano as witness’ Carmina Castillo, Atio’s mother, said they welcome the news that Solano has surfaced. “At least, someone can narrate to us how my son died.” However, she is against any move to have Solano turn as state witness.
Even if it hurts her, Carmina likewise said she wants to meet the 16 members of Aegis Juris fraternity linked to the killing of his son.
“I really want to see them all. I want to talk them all, I want every detail, I want to know how he (Atio) died,” said Carmina.
She also wants to ask Solano why Atio was not rushed to the hospital.
“He (Solano) was there... Why did they not bring Atio to the hospital? If only they rush him there. UST was there…,” said Carmina.
Horacio, Atio’s father, urged parents of the fraternity members involved in the hazing that led to Atio’s death to let their children come out.
“Well as a parent, I know how hurtful it is when their children are involved. But somehow, it would be easier if they would let their children come out clean. Hiding their children seems a crime,” said the elder Horacio.
Like Castillo’s parents, Senators Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed Solano’s surrender.
“The others involved should now come out of the shadows and tell all they know about Atio’s death,” said Zubiri as he lauded UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina for facilitating the surrender.
“This is a chance for him to explain to the whole nation about what happened to Castillo and who were the people involved in this brutal scheme,” Gatchalian said. (With reports from Jun Ramirez, Mario B. Casayuran, and Hannah L. Torregoza)