(Eagle News) — Several members and alumni of the Aegis Juris fraternity met at a hotel after Horacio Castillo III died to discuss the steps they were to take following the incident.
This was according to Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, Manila Police District director, who spoke during a joint hearing of the committees on dangerous drugs, and justice on hazing on Wednesday.
According to Coronel, based on their investigation, the meeting was suggested by one Atty. Marvi Rosero Abo, who created a chat group on Sept. 17.
He said around 30 were included in the chat group including Kevin Anarna, Ferdinand Rogelio, Cesar Ocampo Ona, Edsel Canlas, Cesar Ona, Arvin Balag, Jose Miguel Salamat, Henry Pablo Jr., Gayle Caraan, Michael Vito, Cesar Dela Fuente, Nino Servanes, Ronald Cheng, Manuel Angelo Ventura III, Milfen Alvarado, and Jet Villaroman.
He said there were others who were added to the chat group but they did not participate in the conversation.
“If you’re going to review the exchange…, it would appear they intend to cover up the incident, contrary to the announcement (the fraternity) made on Sept. 19 they were willing to face an investigation,” Coronel said.
Chat group exchange
He said in the chat group, Banag and Salamat consulted the members of the thread about what they should do.
Salamat added that he was in possession of Castillo’s phone, which showed that there had been several calls from Castillo’s parents, Coronel said.
In another instance, one of the participants in the chat group suggested that they get the closed-circuit television camera footage in the library and pay off the barangay officials there if needed.
“In a nutshell…they were mostly in panic about what to do..Some were in favor of facing problems squarely. A great majority said they should avoid prosecution, having concerns for their brothers who were involved. Baka raw masira kinabukasan nila, and that they need to meet. Nowhere (did it say there) that they were willing to subject themselves to an investigation,” Coronel said.
Novotel meeting
Coronel said based on their investigation, the meeting took place in the afternoon of Sept. 17.
He said the police established that 19 individuals attended that meeting in a function room the fraternity rented.
Of the 19, he said 12 have been identified.
These include Salamat, Jimeno, Canlas, Rogelio, Abo, Dela Fuente, Brian Banggi, Ventura, and Pablo, he said.
Salamat, who was present in the hearing, was asked by senators if he could name other names, but he refused, saying he could not remember anything.