Atio Castillo hazing probers look into chat messages that told of ‘emergency’

Manila Police District investigators are looking into the alleged chat messages circulating in social media of supposed members of Aegis Juris fraternity, the group being blamed for the death of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo.

"So kung may mga lumalabas sa social media na informal information, nandiyan po tayo para i-validate ang information na 'yan," said Manila Police District spokesman Erwin Margarejo.

A 24 Oras report by Steve Dailisan showed screengrabs of the chat messages of Aegis Juris fraternity members posted in Hustisya Para Kay Horacio, a Facebook page seeking justice for the death of the 22-year-old student.

The report said the screengrabs came from an anonymous netizen.

In the exchange of messages, the alleged frat members were discussing the "F-R of neo," which had a call time of 9 p.m.

A certain Arvin replied, "Major frat activity to brods."

A certain Jay-ar asked where would the "FR" take place. Arvin said it would be in Bulacan.

Jay-ar again asked, "Walang tao dun? Baka sumabit tayo dun. Madami ka ata bisita eh."

"Baka mavideo-han tayo ng mga bisita dun," Jay-ar added.

It seemed that a birthday party would also be held in the same venue where the FR will take place.

Arvin said, "Ayoko na don."

Jay-ar suggested, "Dyan na lang sa FL. Isa lang naman eh,"

Jay-ar also asked, "San ini?" Arvin answered, "Fratlib." The frat library of Aegis Juris can be found along Laon-Laan-Navarra Street near the University of Santo Tomas.

A certain Axel sent a message past 9 a.m. on Sunday, saying, "emergency. Pwede po hingin number ni Popoy."

After awhile, Arvin directed them, "delete niyo muna o. Code of silence, manahimik na lang muna lahat."

Arvin also told them to deactivate their accounts.

Popoy replied saying, "Hnd ako mgdeactivate. Naiwan ako dito sa hospital eh."

Police said Castillo died of a massive heart attack possibly due to the injuries he suffered after undergoing hazing.

The victim's family learned about the incident when his mother Carminia Castillo received an anonymous text message saying that her son was brought to the Chinese General Hospital.

UST vowed to investigate the incident as it also submitted a list of names of the members of the fraternity to authorities.

UST Faculty of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina earlier lifted the suspension imposed on the members of the said fraternity so that they would be available for investigation and interviews.

At least three suspects identified as John Paul Solano, Ralph Trangia, and Antonio Trangia are now being a subject of manhunt operations by the Manila Police District.

The Department of Justice also ordered the Bureau of Immigration to monitor the whereabouts of 16 members of the fraternity linked to Castillo's death. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News