MANILA, Philippines — Members of Aegis Juris fraternity met, allegedly to plan a cover-up of the hazing death of Horacio Castillo III, as early as September 17, the same day the University of Sto. Tomas law student was taken to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
At the resumption of the Senate inquiry into the death of Castillo, Manila Police District chief Joel Coronel said around 19 members of the fraternity converged at the Novotel in Quezon City on September 17 after the meeting was set during in the course of a group chat on Facebook that involved 30 resident and alumni members.
At the time of the meeting, Castillo’s parents still did not know of their son’s fate.
“Based on the exchange of communications from the fraternity members, it would appear that the tendency of the fraternity to conceal or to obstruct justice is evident, wherein they would like to evade, avoid at all costs our investigation and prosecution of this case, your honor,” Coronel told the hearing.
“In summary, this can be established — that early morning of September 17, resident members of the fraternity, particularly (purported fraternity president) Arvin Balag and (Jose Miguel “Migs”) Salamat are already aware of the situation concerning Atio Castillo (and) have consulted with fraternity members on what actions they will take,” Coronel later added.
The MPD chief said the fraternity members appeared to be panicking in the chat. While some members wanted those involved to face the investigation squarely, the majority “advocated that they just avoid and evade the prosecution” out of “concerns for their fraternity brothers who were involved.”
“Baka raw masira ang kinabukasan at ang mga future ng mga brods nila na involved sa hazing (They worried that the futures of their brothers involved in the hazing would be ruined),” he said.
He added that, contrary to the fraternity’s public statement on September 19 that it was willing to coordinate with authorities in the investigation of Castillo’s death, “majority of them said that they will find ways and means to see that the evidence that will be gathered or recovered by the investigating authority will no longer be available to the PNP or to those who are conducting the investigation.”
Coronel also noted that Salamat admitted in the Facebook chat that on September 17 he had Castillo’s cell phone.
Footage captured by Novotel’s closed circuit cameras of Aegis Juris members arriving meeting was also presented at the hearing.
Coronel said they managed to identify a number of fraternity members in the Facebook chat and the Novotel meeting but had still to determine who nine others were.
Twelve of those in the group chat who were at the meeting were:
- Marvi Rosero Abo
- Bongget Rogello
- Mong Dela Fuenta
- Edzel Bert Canlas
- Migs Salamat, identified as Jose Miguel Salamat
- Cecilio Jimeno
- Car Mhel, identified as Brian Mhel Bangui
- Gaille Dante Acuzar Caraan
- Migg Ynigo, idenfited as Miguel Ventura III
- Milfen Alvarado
- Jet Dela Pena Villaroman
- Henry C. Pablo Jr.
Nine persons were also added to the group chat but did not participate in the conversation:
- Henry Pablo
- Al Verzosa
- Nikoy Duque
- MI Ka-El Vito, identified as Mike Vito
- Attornin Fainsan Servanez, identified as Nino Kjell Sevanez
- Jr Bernz, identified as Jr Bernabe
- Cesar Ocampo Ona
- Erol Ecalnir
- G. Suyat IV
Coronel also named six persons he said were identified by an MPD informant:
- Nathan “Jungjung” Anarna
- Ronald Cheng
- Alex Bose
- Robin Ramos
- Leo Lalusis
- Chuck Siazar
But Rogelio, who was at the hearing, denied being at the Novotel meeting.
“That’s not me in the photograph,” he said.
When asked to identify other fraternity members in the group chat, Salamat said he would answer allegations against him in the October 24 probe of the Department of Justice.
Below are screengrabs of the Facebook group chat:
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