MEMBERS of the Aegis Juris Fraternity tagged in the hazing death of UST law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III were turned over on Wednesday to the Manila City Jail from the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) by order of the Manila Regional Trial Court, two months after they voluntarily surrendered.
In a court order released on Tuesday, the Manila court ordered the transfer of Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Jose Miguel Salamat, John Robin Ramos, Marcelino Bagtang Jr., Ralph Trangia, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver Onofre, Joshua Macabali and Hans Matthew Rodrigo, who were all formally charged for violating the Anti-Hazing Law last March 8.
The Aegis Juris fratmen were temporarily detained at the NBI last March 23 a day after the court ordered their arrest.
“Upon personal evaluation of the DOJ (Department of Justice) Panel of Prosecutors as well as all the supporting evidence on record, this Court finds probable cause and that there is a necessity for placing all the accused under custody in order not to frustrate the ends of justice,” the court order read.
The court pointed out that violation of the Anti-Hazing Law is a “non-bailable offense.”
The Department of Justice indicted the fraternity members on March 8 for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, and cleared Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina of any involvement in the hazing incident.
READ: Aegis Juris fratmen indicted in Atio hazing death; Divina cleared of charges
The fratmen filed motions to dismiss or to be allowed to post bail before the Manila court last March 12 but the motions were denied or set for further hearing.
