(Eagle News) — The names of at least six individuals affiliated with the Aegis Juris fraternity who were present during the initiation rites of hazing victim Horacio Castillo III, and the circumstances leading to his death were released on Wednesday.
Based on the testimony provided by Solano during a Sept. 25 executive session, and which was read out during the Senate hearing, it was OJ Onofre who called Solano on Sept. 17, asking him to go to the Aegis Juris fraternity library.
“Ang sabi, brad, punta ka dito sa frat library. Sabi ko di ako pwede kasi may trabaho ako sa clinic namin. Try mo nalang iba kung may pupunta dyan na malapit, sabi ko. So binaba niya,” Solano said.
He said while he was preparing for his shift in his family’s clinic, at 7:10 to 7:15 a.m., someone called again.
He said the person on the other line, Onofre, told him someone had “collapsed” when he asked what was wrong.
“So may sense of urgency, I took the initiative to go. 7:30 to 7:40 umalis na ako,” he said, noting that he even texted his younger sister Jen and told her to tell their dad that he would leave early and that “baka tanghali na ako bumalik.”
Library scene
He said at 8:10 to 8:15 a.m., he arrived at the library.
He knocked first, then Axle Hipe opened the door.
He said he found Arvin Balag texting someone inside.
Mark Ventura, one Zack and one Dan were also there.
Lacson later identified Zack and Dan as Zack Abolencia and Daniel Ragos.
He said he did not see Ralph Trangia.
As for Jason Robinos, he said he was not there because he had been confined in the hospital that week.
“(Ventura, Balag, Hipe and Onofre) were the four na sumalubong sa akin. I was not sure that time (kung umalis na iba). Kasi dalawa room ng Aegis Juris (library),” Solano said.
He said upon entry in the library, he found “Atio was lying.”
“Di ko maconfirm kung siya yun by that time,” he said, noting that he had to ask the people in the library for his name.
“Sabi ko, Hor! Hor is that you! Naririnig mo ba ako?” Solano said he did as part of what he said was the standard operating procedure in first-aid.
He said he slapped Castillo’s and checked his pupils, which were “dilated,” and his pulse several times.
He said when everyone decided to take Castillo the hospital, Balag said he should be taken to the Chinese General Hospital, which is 20 to 40 minutes away from the library, based on traffic.
The University of Sto. Tomas Hospital was 10 to 15 minutes away.
Solano said he asked why, but Balag insisted Castillo be taken there so he agreed.
Solano said he followed the Fortuner and the red pickup vehicle to the hospital.
Chinese General Hospital arrival
Upon arrival, he said they stayed in the parking lot first.
“Sabi ko, brad dun tayo sa emergency room,” Solano said.
Balag instructed Solano to take Castillo there, but Solano initially refused, noting that he had nothing to do with what happened to the victim.
But he said Balag insisted, so he obliged and asked what he should say.
“Sabi ni (Balag) sabihin mo napulot mo sa Balut, Tondo. Since sobrang taranta ko na ako magdadala, nagmental block na ako. Di na ako makaisip. Sabi ko maam may emergency po kami. Sabi ko napulot ko lang sa Balut, Tondo. ..Sabi ‘sir dapat may maiwan dyan,’ he said, recounting his conversation with the nurse at the hospital desk.
He said back at the parking lot, he informed Balag about what the hospital nurse said–that someone needed to stay with Castillo.
He said Balag told him to stay with the hazing victim, to which he asked, “Bakit ako?”
“Sabi niya, ‘alangan namang kami. Hindi, ikaw na. Di kami magpapaiwan,'” Solano recounted.
He said because he wanted to help Castillo, he obliged after hurling profanities at those left behind in the parking lot.
“Dinala po dun (sa ospital yung pickup), tinabi ang stretcher. Ako nagbuhat at dalawang nurse. Binuhat namin palabas (ng sasakyan). ‘Sir, umalis ka na,’ sabi ko sa driver (ni Trangia),” Solano said, referring to Romeo Laboga.
“Sabi kong ganun, hindi ba, so malamang ilaglag mo kami lahat. Sabi ko di naman ako kasali dito,” he said he told Laboga.
He said as soon as they took Castillo inside the hospital, his brothers left him.
He said that in front of him, hospital authorities tried to revive Castillo, but to no avail.
“Parang ang sabi ko wala na. Sabi ko there is no point to lie about my personal details..So in good faith binigay ko lahat sa ospital. Sa story sa Balut, Tondo, ginawan ko nalang ng storya. Yun nalang sinabi kong storya,” he said.
He said this was also the story he gave the police.
While driving his motorcycle to show the police where he supposedly found Castillo’s body, he said he was thinking of telling all.
“Kaso yung perjury case wala pong under oath. Nagpunta na ako sa homicide. Pinupush lang na sinumpaan ko raw pero hindi,” he said.
He said he went home after that, but he was scared about what his parents would do once they found out.
In hiding
So he left and went in hiding from Sept. 18 onwards.
During that time, he said he would sleep in waiting sheds, and would not stay in one city for an entire day for fear he would be recognized.
“Along the way, nagpunta ako sa (Mall of Asia). Dun na tumatawag pulis. Monday afternoon, sabi ko sir asa MOA ako. I made up stories na may kadate ako..Pag nasa isip ko, pag nagpunta ako dun (sa police station), di na ako makakabalik,” Solano said.
He said he even went as far as Pangasinan.
When he only had P700 left on Wednesday night, he said he bought a cellphone and told his dad he would come home.
His father then contacted UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina, who arranged his surrender to the Office of Senator Lacson.
He said he chose Lacson because his father’s name was also Panfilo.
From the start, Divina had encouraged him to tell the truth, he said.
“Ako rin po nung sinabi nila na Atty. Pat (Esmaquel) hahawak, siya po agad tinanong ko. Sabi ko kung magcocover up, di kita kukuning abogado,” Solano said.
Esmaquel confirmed Solano’s statement.
Since the incident, he said not one of his brothers in the hospital called him up.
One of them, one Sy, asked him what happened while he was at the Chinese General Hospital.
“Musta ka? Ano nangyari. Sabi ko ‘brad di ko alam ano nangyari. Basta naipit ako sa ospital,'” he said, noting that there was really a “perception” he didn’t join hazing rites because he was “anti-violence.”
He said he was “Popoy” in the chatgroup created after Castillo’s death.
He said it was also Balag, the fraternity president, who ordered them to deactivate their Facebook accounts.