5 Aegis members linked to Atio Castillo death involved in frat war last year —police

Five members of the Aegis Juris fraternity who are linked to the death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III were also involved in a brawl outside the Manila Hotel in November last year, GMA News' Emil Sumangil reported on 24 Oras on Thursday.

The report said the five—Arvin Balag, the alleged leader; Ralph Cabales Trangia; Mhin Wei Chan; Joshua Joriel Macabali; and Marcelino Bagtang—were nabbed by the police after scuffling with members of Gamma Delta Epsilon.

"Ito po 'yung mga members na last year ay naaresto po, na-apprehend po ng Manila Police District dahil may nangyaring insidente sa Manila Hotel na nagkaroon ng commotion, itong Aegis Juris fraternity at isa pang fraternity group," said MPD spokesman Superintendent Erwin Margarejo.

The five are among the 16 Aegis Juris members placed under lookout bulletin of the Bureau of Immigration following Castillo's death. However, Trangia, a prime suspect, has already left the country, the bureau said.

BI records showed that Trangia took Eva Air Flight BR262 bound for Taipei on Tuesday, a day before Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered immigration personnel to be on the lookout for 16 members of the Aegis Juris fraternity.

Meanwhile, GMA News located the residence of Trangia. According to the security guard, Trangia's siblings were not at the house that time.

"Ngayon walang tao sa bahay nila. Kasi kahapon umalis 'yung mga kapatid niya kasama 'yung yaya, di namin alam kasi wala namang ibinilin sa akin," said Maricel Mandol.

She added that since Trangia was linked to Castillo's death, he never returned home.

"Di ko na nakita, simula nung nadinig namin 'yung balita sa radyo, wala na di ko na siya nakikita. Hindi na pumupunta dito," Mandol added.

Meanwhile, Balag and Bagtang were also nowhere to be found.

Margarejo urged those involved to surrender to authorities and face the investigation on the incident.

"Paliwanag niyo itong nangyaring insidente kay Mr. Horacio Castillo III para malaman natin 'yung talagang tunay na pangyayari. 'Yung inyo pong mga karapatan ay amin pong i-a-uphold once magpunta po kayo dito," Margarejo said.

Castillo died after attending the "welcoming rites" of the Aegis Juris fraternity on Saturday night.

Authorities had confirmed that he died from injuries sustained from hazing.

A Senate inquiry on Castillo's death has already been set for September 25 for the purpose of amending or repealing the 22-year-old Anti-Hazing Law.  —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News