MANILA — The 10 members of the Aegis Juris fraternity who were indicted over the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law student Horacio “Atio” Tomas Castillo III, are now detained at the Manila City Jail.
NBI agents escorted Arvin A. Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Ralph Trangia, Robin Ramos, Jose Miguel Salamat, Danielle Hans Matthew, and Marcelino Bagtang out of the NBI compound at about 2:30 p.m..
The suspects arrived at the Manila City Jail at about 3 p.m.
The move is in compliance with the commitment order issued by Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 20 Judge Marivic Balisi-Umali denying the urgent ex-parte motion filed by the accused that they remain at the NBI, citing their safety.
The suspects surrendered to the NBI last March 23 and were initially detained at the NBI facility after the court issued warrants for their arrest.
All 10 have been charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 8049, the Anti-Hazing Law, after the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to indict them over Castillo’s death.
Meanwhile, the Manila RTC reset the arraignment of the fraternity members on July 24, pending the petition for review filed by Trangia before the DOJ, asking it to reconsider the hazing charges filed against him.
Castillo died after undergoing initiation rites in the hands of Aegis Juris fratmen in September last year. (PNA)
