(Eagle News) — Authorities on Thursday recovered at least three paddles from the Aegis Juris fraternity where hazing rites that resulted in the death of Horacio Castillo III are believed to have taken place.
It was still unclear if these had been used on Castillo, though.
Supt. Erwin Margarejo, Manila Police District spokesperson, said they would be subjected to analysis so it could be determined if Castillo’s blood was there.
He said forensic evidence has also been recovered, but he did not elaborate.
“Pag may nakita kaming evidence na nadistort, we will be contemplating filing obstruction charges,” Margarejo said.
He said police were still inspecting the library in Sampaloc, Manila, armed with a ten-day search warrant.
“Maaari pong sapat na ang sampung araw,” Margarejo said.
Castillo, a first year University of Sto. Tomas law student, died of a heart attack resulting from massive trauma from injuries sustained in hazing rites on Sept. 18.
A primary suspect in his death, John Paul Solano, surrendered to the Office of Senator Panfilo Lacson, days later.
Two others–Antonio Trangia, the registered owner of the pickup that was used to take Castillo to the hospital, and Ralph Trangia, his son and an official of the fraternity–are at large.
Also at large are the officials of the fraternity, who were recently named suspects by the MPD in Castillo’s death; and Rosemarie Trangia, who was charged with obstruction of justice for helping his son leave the country for the United States.
While Solano admitted he lied to the police when he said he found Castillo’s body in a street corner in Manila, he insisted his role was limited to giving medical attention to the hazing victim.
Charges for perjury, murder, obstruction of justice, robbery and violation of the anti-hazing law have been filed against Solano, who was inquested last week.
He was ordered released this week by the Department of Justice, however, after the acting prosecutor general himself admitted that Solano’s inquest was “improper.”
The DOJ set the preliminary investigation on Oct. 4 and Oct. 9.
