Aegis Juris member Marc Ventura gets full WPP coverage

Hazing suspect Marc Anthony Ventura has been given full coverage under the government's witness protection program in connection with his knowledge and participation in the killing of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo III, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Thursday.

Aguirre said he approved the memorandum of agreement entered into by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Ventura on Wednesday afternoon.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 6981, a person admitted to the WPP must testify about his knowledge of the crime, cooperate with "respect to all reasonable requests" of government officers and employees assigned to protect him, and regularly inform the program official of his current activities and address, among other conditions.

Among the benefits for witnesses are security protection and escort services, secure housing facility, traveling expenses and subsistence allowance while acting as a witness, and assistance in obtaining a means of livelihood.

Ventura will also be eventually dropped as a respondent in the criminal complaints pending before the DOJ.

The former Aegis Juris secretary reached out to the agency on Tuesday to seek protection in exchange for information on what happened to Castillo, who died from massive injuries on September 17 as a result of hazing.

Ventura claimed 23 individuals were present in the initiation rites for the 22-year-old University of Santo Tomas law student.

At one point during the initiation rites marked by paddling and several beatings, the fraternity members allegedly tried to wake an unconscious Atio with candle drippings but to no avail.

Castillo was later taken to the Chinese General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. — MDM, GMA News