Witness claims seeing Solano, 2 others carry Atio into a car

A new witness in the case of suspected hazing victim Horacio "Atio" Castillo III said he saw how the then unconscious UST law freshman student was carried into a red pickup truck by members of the Aegis Juris fraternity on September 17.

"Tony," not his real name, said he saw three people carrying Castillo at Laong Laan Stree in Manila at 8 a.m. that day.

"Tatlong kalalakihan na nagbuhat sa loob ng Aegis Juris Resources Center na may bitbit silang tao na nakabalot sa dirty white na kumot at sa harapan ng Aegis Juris, may nakaparadang pickup na kulay pula, may plate number na ZTV 539."

Tony is now under the custody of the Manila Police District where he gave his testimony, according to a GMA News "Balitanghali" report by Mariz Umali Saturday.

Tony said at first, he thought the person was just sick, but started to have doubts as the men carrying the victim looked uneasy.

"Napahinto po ako sa nakita kong parang mga atubili yung tatlong taong kalalakihan. Nakabalot ang katawan ni Castillo, dalawang paa lang ang nakalabas, walang malay," he said.

The witness said he had no idea who the man wrapped in a blanket was, until he saw on television news about Castillo's death.

Tony gave an initial testimony on September 24, and another one on October 2.

Tony identified John Paul Solano as one of the men who carried the body of Atio after the police showed him photos of persons of interest.

"Pagkarga sa sasakyan, diretso na agad na pinaandar ng nakaputi yung pickup na pula. At yung nakapula naman, naglakad ng Laong Laan, diretso ng Dimasalang," the witness added.

Tony said he used to see the members of the Aegis Juris fraternity with their hazing materials as he used to frequent the place.

"Pag may papasok, may dala silang pamalong malapad tsaka yung bat o kaya yung sinturon na malapad," he said.

On September 25, the Manila Police District filed criminal charges against 18 people, including Solano, in connection with the death of Castillo.

After giving false statements to the police, Solano, who was initially a person of interest in the case, was considered a principal suspect in Castillo's death.

Castillo died after attending the "welcoming rites" of the fraternity based in the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law.

His body was then brought by Solano to the Chinese General Hospital.

Authorities had confirmed that Horacio died of a massive heart attack possibly due to the injuries he suffered from hazing. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News