Atio died due to hazing? Fratmen say that's 'out of this world'

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity on Thursday presented three medical experts to back their claim that Horacio "Atio" Castillo died due to a pre-existing heart condition and not hazing.

In his 23-page rejoinder filed before state prosecutors, fratman-respondent John Paul Solano called the Manila Police District's medico-legal report as a "mere scrap of paper."

Solano also slammed the Castillo couple's argument that their son died due to hazing as an "out of this world" claim. He presented the expert opinion affidavit of Dr. Rodel Capule to the Department of Justice.

Judicial affidavits of Atty. Floresto Arizala Jr. MD, former NBI medico-legal department chief, and Dr. Bu Castro were also presented to the DOJ.

Arizala backed respondent Mhin Wei Chan's claim while Castro supported respondent Axel Hipe's defense.

Last November 9, the Castillo couple filed their reply-affidavit where they insisted that their 22-year-old son died due to hazing as part of the fraternity's final rites. The medico-legal of the MPD—public complainants in the case—was attached to the reply-affidavit.

In the affidavit of Superintendent Joseph Palmero of the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Office, it was stated that Castillo died due to "severe blunt traumatic injuries, both upper limbs."

Also cited in the report are the following findings from a microscopic examination of tissue:

• Acute tubular necrosis and congestion, kidneys
• Severe pulmonary congestion and edema, lungs
• Fatty metamorphosis, liver
• Focal autolysis, pancreas
• Normal histology, brain, heart, spleen

READ: Aegis Juris members say heart disease killed Atio

Capule in his expert opinion affidavit stressed that Palmero "admitted to his opinion that the cause of death of Horacio was not specifically due to trauma."

Arizala, for his part, said the histopathology findings of Palmero are "out of this world."

He maintained that "there is no such thing as death due to hazing" and Castillo's death was due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Castro, for his part, said the death could not be established with a medico-legal report.

“These medical data available for analysis, a more thorough autopsy examination including laboratory examination of relevant sample specimens will be required to bring one closer to the determination of the cause of death,” Castro added.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II earlier detailed the final grueling hours of Castillo in the hands of his would-be fraternity brothers.

Citing the sworn affidavit of witness Mark Ventura, Aguirre said Castillo was punched for about an hour until his arms were black and blue and swollen.

It was also revealed that members of the fraternity took turns hitting Castillo with a paddle until he collapsed.