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[av_heading heading=’ Hazing suspect ordered released ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – A primary suspect in the death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo III during fraternity hazing was released from Manila Police District (MPD) custody on Thursday.
The Department of Justice issued on Wednesday night an order to free John Paul Solano.
“Rest assured I will shed light sa stories sa pagdating ng preliminary investigation,” Solano told the press after his release. “I will prove my innocence.”
Solano voluntarily surrendered and it was not right to subject him to inquest proceeding for perjury, which has a penalty of imprisonment for six months to two years, the Justice department said.
Moreover, he was not yet considered a suspect when he voluntarily surrendered, said the department, whose prosecutors ordered a deeper investigation into Castillo’s death instead.
Solano and 17 other members of Aegis Jvris fraternity are facing charges for murder; violation of Republic Act No. 8049, which regulates hazing; perjury; robbery; and obstruction of justice.
Solano was considered a primary suspect after police said he lied in his testimony, in which he claimed he was just a concerned citizen who brought Castillo’s body to the Chinese General Hospital after seeing it in Tondo district.
He later surrendered to the MPD and admitted to lying on the order of fellow Aegis Jvris members.
Solano also tagged to the hazing death six fellow fraternity members during a Senate executive session on Monday./PN
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