Aegis Juris frat members enter not guilty plea in Atio hazing death case

Ten officials and members of the Aegis Juris fraternity accused of violating the Anti-Hazing Law after being indicted in the hazing death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law student Horacio "Atio" Tomas Castillo III entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday.

The arraignment, presided over by Manila RTC Branch 20 Judge Marivic Balisi Umali, lasted for about three hours before reaching the pre-trial proper, according to a report by Super Radyo dzBB's Carlo Mateo on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

Denying the accusations filed against them, the lawyers of the defense filed a petition for bail for their clients.

Wearing yellow shirts with the words "detainee," the accused are:

• Arvin Balag
• Mhin Wei Chan
• Axel Munro Hipe
• Oliver John Audrey Onofre
• Joshua Joriel Macabali
• Ralph Trangia
• Robin Ramos
• Jose Miguel Salamat
• Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo
• Marcelino Bagtang

Meanwhile, Atio's parents Carminia and Horacio Castillo said they are  satisfied with how the case is turning out and with the efforts of the prosecution.

Carminia said she does not feel for those accused, but only wants justice for her son, and that the Aegis Juris be abolished as a fraternity.

The court set the hearing of the petition for bail of the accused on August 14. — Jamil Santos/RSJ, GMA News