Mom of Horacio Castillo III wants to meet suspect in son’s death

MANILA, Philippines –  After learning that the principal suspect in the death of her son had surrendered to authorities, Carmina Castillo said she would like to meet John Paul Solano so he can tell her what the Aegis Juris fraternity did to 22-year-old Horacio Castillo III.

Castillo said in an interview on radio dzMM on Friday, September 22, that she wants to know how, when, and where her son was killed. 

“I would like to see him. Ikuwento niya sa akin paano nila pinatay ang anak ko (He must tell me how they killed my son). Every detail, I want to know: who was there, who saw it, who made it happen, paano, anong oras, saka saan (how, when, and where),” the grieving mother said.

Castillo said she was relieved that the suspect surfaced.  “Buti lumutang siya. Buti nagpakilala siya; nagpakita siya (It’s good that he surfaced. It’s good that he came out). I want justice. I want conviction,” she said.

She recalled that her son, called Atio at home, was initially hesitant to join the fraternity and only decided after much thought.

“Pinagisipan niya talaga. Ang nagbigay lang ng confidence sa kanya ay yung dean nila ay part of the fraternity ( (He thought long and hard about it. What gave him confidence was that their dean was part of the fraternity),” she said, referring to UST Civil Law dean Nilo Divina.

Castillo added that Atio’s recruiters apparently told him that Aegis Juris was an academic fraternity that did not engage in hazing to initiate new members. 

Divina had earlier said that he had been on “leave of absence” from the fraternity since he served as UST law dean 8 years ago, and had not been involved in any of the fraternity’s activities other than those officially reported to his office.

Solano is one of the 3 suspects tagged in Atio’s case. He underwent inquest proceedings in the Manila Police District on Friday, following his surrender to Senator Panfilo Lacson.

MPD Spokesperson Superintendent Erwin Margarejo said Solano faces charges of perjury for his initial false statement to the police, and violation of the Anti-Hazing Act.

Solano, who brought Atio to the hospital on the night of the hazing incident, maintained his innocence. He said his only participation at the fraternity event was to provide medical assistance, since he was a registered medical technologist, and that  he was not on site when the incident happened. – Rappler.com