(Eagle News) — The University of Sto. Tomas student who claimed to have found the lifeless body of hazing victim Horacio Castillo III is now considered a “primary suspect” in his death.
In a press conference, Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, Manila Police District director, said this was after John Paul Solano was found to have “deliberately” given “false information” to mislead investigators in the case.
He said he believed this was part of his and companions’ attempt at a “cover-up.”
Earlier, the police said barangay 133 officials denied Solano’s account that he found the body in Tondo, Manila over the weekend.
Police said there was also footage from the closed-circuit television camera in the area that showed that there was no body there at the time Solano claimed to have found it.
Coronel said Solano was found to be a student of UST, and also a member of the Aegis Juris fraternity believed responsible for Castillo’s death.
Apart from Solano, Coronel said also declared as “principal suspects” were Antonio Trangia, the registered owner of the red Strada–with plate number ZTV 539–that witnesses said was used to take Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital, and his son, Ralph Trangia.
Coronel said Ralph Trangia is an official of the fraternity.
“They were the ones who are suspected of bringing the victim to the Chinese General Hospital,” he said.
He added “all officers of Aegis Juris currently enrolled are all suspects based on antihazing law.”
“Even if they were not present but they had knowledge of the recruitment, they may be held liable,” he said.
Based on the list provided by the UST administration to the police, the fraternity has eight officers.