Atio Castillo’s parents don’t want Solano to become state witness

The parents of freshman law student Horacio Tomas "Atio" Castillo III don't want the leading suspect in their son's death to become a state witness.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on "24 Oras",  Carminia and Horacio Castillo Jr. do not want John  Paul Solano to be a state witness but welcomed his surrender to the authorities.

"We welcome the news. At least maikukwento niya sa amin how my son died... He can tell me what time my son died and maybe, what day my son died. At least maybe I can start to have my closure," Carminia said.

"At least now, may roon na tayong puwedeng makapagturo talaga to what happened and makikita pa natin kung sinu-sino pa talaga ang involved dito," added the father.

Their 22-year-old son's body ended up Chinese General Hospital with his body covered in bruises and candle wax drippings on September 16.

He was known to have attended "welcoming rites"  of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law-based Aegis Juris fraternity.

Solano, who earlier claimed to bring Castillo to the hospital after coming across him in Barangay 133 in Manila on his way to work, had just admitted being a member of the fraternity.

Castillo's parents made an appeal to the parents of the other fratmen not to keep their children from coming forward with the truth.

"Ilabas na nila 'yung mga anak nila. So para they would come out clean dito po at hindi nila itago din, kasi parang crime na rin po iyon eh," the father said.

Security wake was tightened as members of the fraternity were "unwelcome" at the wake.

"'Yung mga influential? Nako. Meron. Hindi ko muna mababanggit 'yan pero nasa investigation pa eh...may pumapasok," said Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) chairman Dante Jimenez.

Also paying his respects was Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, a friend to the Castillo family.

"According to (Solano), he's not guilty so we'll know that hopefully with his statements and that is a welcomed development for the investigation," the senator said.

Zubiri was among the senators who pushed for the senate probe the law student's death. The said hearing on the alleged hazing incident is set on Monday. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News