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[av_heading heading=’No evidence of hazing on Atio Castillo – frat leader ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO and PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – As if the bruises on Horacio “Atio” Castillo III were not enough, Aegis Jvris fraternity leader Arvin Balag insisted there was no evidence that the University of Santo Tomas law student was subjected to hazing.
In a counter-affidavit filed at the Department of Justice, Balag said the complaints for murder, violation of the Anti-Hazing Law and obstruction of justice against him must be dismissed.
“I could not in any way be held liable for violation of (the Anti-Hazing Law) since there is no evidence whatsoever that Atio was placed in some embarrassing or humiliating situation, or subjected to physical or psychological suffering or injury as a prerequisite for admission or entry to an organization and that I have any direct participation therein,” Balag said.
A member of the Senate public order committee, which was looking into Castillo’s death, described Balag’s claim as “pathetic.”
“I have only one word to describe Arvin Balag and his counter-affidavit: Pathetic,” Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Tuesday.
Balag said that “neither my presence nor my participation was proven” and that screenshots of Facebook conversations among the fraternity’s members cannot be used as evidence.
The Senate public order committee cited Balag for contempt for refusing to answer questions pertaining to his leadership in Aegis Jvris. Balag was currently detained at the Senate.
Suspect-turned-witness Marc Anthony Ventura identified Balag as the one who delivered the last blow that caused Castillo to fall unconscious.
Echoing claims of fellow suspects John Paul Solano and Axel Hipe, Balag also claimed Castillo died of a preexisting heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and not hazing.
“If indeed it is true that Atio is a victim of hazing where he suffered from severe physical trauma, Atio’s kidneys should have acquired some degree of injury due to the accumulation of myoglobin, and the same could be a cause of acute kidney failure … resulting to multiple organ failure,” Balag said.
“The instant complaint against me should be rightfully dismissed by this Honorable Panel for lack of merit and for failure of complainants to prove by probable cause that I committed violations of the (Anti-Hazing Law) and Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code,” read part of the affidavit.
The public order committee will resume its inquiry on Nov. 6./PN
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