TEN AEGIS Juris fraternity members charged over the hazing death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III are set to receive the court’s verdict on Tuesday, Oct. 1, seven years after the UST law freshman died during initiation rites.
Indicted for violating Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law, the fratmen were ordered arrested in March 2018. Shortly after, they surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.
In May 2018, they were transferred from the NBI to Manila City Jail, where they were detained without bail. They had sought to dismiss the charges filed against them, claiming lack of evidence, but the petition was denied by Acting Presiding Judge Shirley Magsipoc-Pagalilauan in February 2022.
Here are key details about the 10 Aegis Juris fratmen indicted in Atio’s hazing death:
Arvin Balag
Arvin Balag led the Aegis Juris fraternity as “grand praefectus” in Academic Year 2017-2018, according to records submitted to the Office for Student Affairs. He claimed to have resigned his post a month before the hazing incident.
Balag delivered the third paddle strike to Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, as recounted by state witness Mark Ventura, formerly a master initiator of Aegis Juris who was present during the initiation rites at the fraternity headquarters outside UST. The blow caused Atio to collapse on his knees.
Following a 10-minute pause, Balag struck Atio with the fifth and final blow, leading him to collapse face down. He initially rejected the idea of bringing Atio to the hospital due to visible marks on his arms. However, he eventually consented to the suggestion of Aegis Juris fratman and medical technologist John Paul Solano.
Atio was transported to the Chinese General Hospital in a red pick-up, owned by Ralph Trangia’s father and driven by Balag’s driver.
READ: Looking back: Timeline of the Atio hazing case
Balag was detained in the Senate in October 2017 after being cited in contempt for refusing to answer queries during hearings. He was released in December of that year.
Mhin Wei Chan
Then vice president of the UST law fraternity, Mhin Wei Chan was present during the final initiation rites for the neophyte, based on case records. He was among those identified to have delivered blows on the arms of Atio.
Chan sought temporary release from detention in April 2020, invoking “humanitarian grounds” and citing overcrowding in the Manila City Jail and the Covid-19 pandemic at that time.
Axel Hipe
It was Axel Munro Hipe who called the shots during the “welcome party” as the fraternity’s master initiator. He delivered the first blow to Atio using a meter-long paddle because, according to Ventura, his name started with “A.”
RELATED: DNA found on Aegis Juris paddle matches those of Atio’s parents – police
Before the paddle strikes, Atio was also punched by his “brods,” struck on the arms with a spatula, forced to sing and dance, drink raw egg yolk, remove his underwear, crawl toward the “masters,” and perform pumping and duck walks.
Hipe was part of the convoy that brought Atio to the hospital. He had claimed in his counter-affidavit that there was no probable cause to charge him with murder and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.
Ralph Trangia
Aegis Juris’s sergeant at arms Ralph Trangia dealt the second paddle hit on Atio. It was his family vehicle, the red pick-up, that was used to transport Atio’s body to the Chinese General Hospital after the fratmen finally considered seeking medical attention for the neophyte. Trangia also served as master initiator for the fraternity.
Two days after the incident, Trangia and his mother fled the Philippines for Chicago, citing fears of “continuous persecution and desire to be “free of suspicions.” His departure came a day before the issuance of a lookout bulletin listing 16 Aegis Juris fratmen.
Although Trangia’s parents were accused of helping him escape, they were later cleared of obstruction of justice charges. He unsuccessfully sought to have Judge Magsipoc-Pagalilauan removed from the case, claiming she had committed an abuse of discretion by refusing to inhibit herself.
Oliver Onofre
Also referred to as “Ojay,” Oliver John Audrey Onofre was the fraternity’s auditor that year. He was the one who contacted Solano to administer first aid to the unconscious neophyte as the fratmen panicked. Solano attempted to revive Atio but to no avail.
Joshua Macabali
Joshua Joriel Macabali was Aegis Juris’s public relations officer at the time of Atio’s death. He was present during the final initiation rites.
Robin Ramos, Marcelino Bagtang, Hans Rodrigo, Jose Salamat
Aegis Juris fraternity members Robin Ramos, Jose Marcelino Bagtang, and Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo were present during the final rites, witnessing the paddle blows delivered to Atio. According to Ventura, Jose Miguel Salamat left “after the begging” or after Atio was asked to crawl toward his “masters.”
The fraternity members were identified as among those who struck Atio’s arms during the hazing.
What’s next for Aegis 10?
The fratmen pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in July 2018.
If convicted by the Manila court, they could face reclusion perpetua plus or life imprisonment as mandated by Republic Act 8049, the old Anti-Hazing Law, for participants in hazing that lead to death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation.
