MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) began the preliminary investigation on the death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, Wednesday, in an alleged hazing incident.
Primary suspect John Paul Solano appeared at the hearing with his witnesses to submit his counter-affidavit.
But this was deferred after the Manila police and the lawyer for the Castillo family requested to be allowed to submit additional evidence.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), they have already asked the telcos to provide records of the calls and text messages from the phones that were recovered from the library of Aegis Juris Fraternity.
Atty. Lorna Kapunan, the Castillo family’s lawyer, will also submit a transcript of the Senate hearing.
“Based on the Senate investigation and the statement of the senators themselves, gleaned from the statement made by Dean Nilo Divina, it would seem, quoting the senators, that there is an apparent cover-up,” said.
Divina and other UST officials will be included as respondents in the complaints.
Kapunan explained, aside from the persons who directly participated in the hazing, school officials are also liable under the Anti-Hazing Law.
She said Divina apparently knew about the incident before Atio’s family learned about it.
“At the time when the Chinese General Hospital did not know the identity of Horacio, at the time that the funeraria (funeral home) also did not know, the question mark is: how come the dean knew when he heard mass on Sunday and yet did not do anything?” Atty. Kapunan said.
Divina said it’s unfortunate that the Castillo family is being manipulated by Kapunan.Instead of finding out the truth and giving justice for Atio, she is blaming innocent persons for her own interest.
He added that instead of finding out the truth and giving justice for Atio, she is blaming innocent persons for her own interest.
Meanwhile, Solano’s lawyer asked the DOJ panel to strike out his judicial affidavit from the records.
“It is fabricated, forged. He did not appear before Capt. Anicete of MPD to subscribe under oath,” Solano’s Lawyer Atty. Paterno Esmaquel said.
DOJ will resume the preliminary investigation next Monday.
The respondents will submit their counter-affidavits on October 24. – Roderic Mendoza |UNTV News & Rescue
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