(Eagle News) — A primary suspect in the death of Horacio Castillo III said that the University of Sto. Tomas student did not die due to hazing.
John Paul Solano said in his counteraffidavit submitted on Tuesday that Castillo had a pre-existing condition, based on his analysis of the medico-legal report of the Manila Police District.
“It bears to stress that from the said medico-legal report, it is clearly found and stated therein that the heart of Horacio is grossly enlarged and weighed 450 grams..To emphasize, what is clear from the medico-legal report is that Horacio has (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), which is a pre-existing heart disease..,” he said.
He said this was a “significant finding” which was “conveniently omitted” by the complainants and the MPD.
HCM, after all, he said, based on his “study as a licensed medical technologist,” could “not have been caused by hazing or any physical activity.”
“Patients with HCM have an increased risk of cardiac failure. Thus, if it is true Horacio died of cardiac arrest, the death of Horacio is not due to hazing, but he died of cardiac arrest due to HCM,” he said.
Castillo’s parents, however, denied their son had a heart disease.
Horacio Castillo Jr., his father, noted that his son was given a clean bill of health by no less than the University of Sto. Tomas prior to his admission.
He said it was the “blunt trauma coming from hazing that caused extreme pain and suffering to my son that caused maybe the heart attack.”
Apart from Solano, 14 others filed their counteraffidavits during the continuation of the preliminary investigation hearing.
Days after being named a primary suspect in Castillo’s death, Solano surrendered to the Office of Senator Panfilo Lacson.
During an executive session with senators probing Castillo’s death, he revealed the details surrounding Castillo’s death, and promised to say everything in his counter-affidavit to be submitted during the preliminary investigation.
But senators got irked after Solano refused to submit his counteraffidavits even after the conduct of two preliminary investigations.
They made public Solano’s testimony during the Sept. 25 executive session as a result.
