(Eagle News) — Aegis Juris fraternity member John Paul Solano has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him in connection with the death of University of Sto. Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III in September last year.
The Department of Justice said Solano gave the plea for the perjury and obstruction of justice charges during his arraignment in the Manila Metropolitan Trial Branch 14 on March 21.
It was Solano who said he found the lifeless body of Castillo on a street in Manila.
The police later found out Solano was also a member of the Aegis Juris fraternity, which at that time was already believed to have conducted the hazing rites that led to the death of Castillo.
In a subsequent Senate hearing, Solano admitted it was Aegis Juris fraternity leader Arvin Balag who told him to make the statement to the police.
He apologized for making the statement, but denied having anything to do with Castillo’s death.
Ten other members of the fraternity charged over the UST law freshman’s death have surrendered to the National Bureau Investigation.
