MANILA, Philippines – If ever the Department of Justice (DOJ) orders the release of John Paul Solano—a principal suspect and witness in the killing of Horacio Castillo III— the Manila Police District (MPD) will file a motion for reconsideration to keep him detained.

“We will, in the event of an unfavorable ruling will be granted against us, we’re going to file a motion for reconsideration,” MPD chief Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel announced to reporters on Tuesday, September 27. 

This follows after Paterno Esmaquel, lawyer of Solano, filed an Omnibus Motion which questioned the detention of his client who voluntarily surrendered to authorities. (READ: Suspect in Horacio Castillo III killing surrenders)

However, Coronel maintained that Solano was aware that he would be detained after surrendering himself, even promising to give them his affidavit naming his Aegis Juris fraternity brothers involved in the killing of Castillo.

“We made it clear that Solano was surrendering to the custody of the Manila Police District, and that he will be placed under arrest to be held accountable for the killing of ‘Atio’ Castillo III,” Coronel said.

The district director said Solano’s release will not affect their suspicions of his involvement in the killing of Castillo. (READ: Facebook Messenger chat may give clues to Castillo’s hazing death)

“Hopefully, after the conduct of preliminary investigation, the [DOJ] will find probable cause to warrant the filing of information against [Solano] for the crimes for, at least , the very least, murder, robbery, violation of the anti-hazing law, obstruction of justice, and perjury,” Coronel said. 

While they are in a deadlock with Solano, the MPD has applied for a search warrant for the Aegis Juris Law Resource Center, where the supposed fatal initiation rights took place. There, they hope to find more pieces of evidence.

In September 21, the MPD found out that the CCTV cameras around the building which housed the Aegis Juris fraternity office in Dapitan street near the University of Santo Tomas campus “were either destroyed or are not working anymore.”  – Rappler.com