Aegis Juris members plead not guilty in Atio fatal hazing case
MANILA, Philippines — Members of Aegis Juris Fraternity on Tuesday faced the local court and denied the charges pressed against them over the fatal hazing case of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.
In a report by The STAR, 10 members of the fraternity arrived at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 20 for their arraignment. The 10 accused, who are officers and members of the fraternity, pleaded not guilty to the charges and instead filed a petition for bail.
Ten Aegis Juris fratmen pleads not guilty in the Atio Castillo III hazing death; files petition for bail
— rey galupo (@reygalupo) July 24, 2018
The following face charges of violation of Republic Act 8049 or Anti-Hazing Law:
- Arvin Balag (grand prefectus)
- Ralph Trangia (sergeant at arms)
- Oliver John Audrey Onofre (treasurer)
- Mhin Wei Chan (secundus internus)
- Axel Munro Hipe (master initiator)
- Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo
- Joshua Joriel Macabali
- Marcelino Bagtang
- Jose Miguel Salamat
- Robin Ramos
During the preliminary investigation of the case, the 10 members of the fraternity said that Castillo—who underwent hours of final rites that included being punched and paddled—might have died due to a pre-existing heart condition.
The members of the fraternity are being held at the Manila City Jail after the court junked their bid to allow them to be detained at the National Bureau of Investigation.
The lifeless body of Castillo, a 22-year-old law student, was found sprawled on a sidewalk along Balut, Tondo on the morning of September 19 last year. — Kristine Joy Patag with a report from Rey Galupo
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