SC orders release of Aegis Juris president from detention at Senate

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday has ordered the release of Aegis Juris fraternity leader Arvin Balag from his detention in connection with the legislative inquiry on the hazing death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III, according to a report by Super Radyo dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo.

Balag was detained at the Senate last October18 after he was cited for contempt for refusing to answer questions from the Senate public order committee headed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia said he received the SC order for Balag's release on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Balag was accompanied by three of his lawyers to undergo a medical procedure part of a standard operating procedure.

Senate President Koko Pimentel and Senator Lacson have been notified about the release of the fraternity member.

Balag is one of several individuals facing criminal charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the death of Castillo, a freshman law student at the University of Santo Tomas, last September 17.

Suspect-turned-witness Marc Anthony Ventura named Balag as the fraternity member who gave the fifth and final blow that rendered Castillo unconscious before he was brought to Chinese General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Refuting allegations that Castillo was subjected to hazing to gain admission into the organization, Balag submitted a counter-affidavit to prosecutors for them to dismiss the complaints for murder, violation of the Anti-Hazing Law and obstruction of justice filed separately by the Manila Police District and Castillo's parents.

In November, Balag had filed a petition questioning his detention,  calling on the SC to nullify the contempt citation against him.

The high court then came out with a resolution last December 12 ordering the immediate release of Balag pending the resolution of his petition.

The SC also noted the comment filed by the Senate. — Margaret Claire Layug with Virgil Lopez/BAP, GMA News