Aguirre: US authorities willing to help in hazing suspects’ deportation

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday said that the United States’ Department of Homeland Security has expressed willingness to cooperate in case the Philippine government would seek the deportation of Ralph Trangia and his mother to face charges over the hazing death of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo III.

“Nagparamdam na ang Department of Homeland Security kung gusto daw ng Pilipinas ipa-deport,” Aguirre told reporters.

Ralph Trangia and Rosemarie Trangia left for the United States on September 19, amid police investigation on the hazing rites conducted by Aegis Juris fraternity for Castillo, who died on September 17.

Aguirre also disclosed that at a meeting last Wednesday in Malacañang, the Castillo family sought the assistance of President Rodrigo Duterte in the cancellation of the passports of the Trangias.

He said, the President had instructed the DFA to make representations with the US State Department on what it could do in order that the Trangias will be sent back to the country, according to the Justice chief.

Of the 18 respondents in the complaint pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ), 16 individuals, most of them officials and members of Aegis Juris fraternity, are facing charges for murder, robbery, and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

Rosemarie Trangia was accused of obstruction of justice while Ralph Trangia was charged with murder, robbery, and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

The Trangias were represented on Wednesday by lawyers during the start of the preliminary investigation on the criminal complaint against them. —LBG, GMA News