Manila judge asked to inhibit from hearing Atio case

A Manila Regional Trial Court judge has been asked to inhibit from handling the case against the 10 Aegis Juris fraternity members involved in the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) freshman law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

In a motion filed Thursday, accused John Robin Ramos and Juan Miguel Salam asked Manila RTC Branch 40 Judge  Alfredo Ampuan Jr. to inhibit because of his ties to Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

Ampuan, according to the two accused is “incapable of rendering fair and impartial judgment” because he is Jimenez’s brother-in-law.

Ampuan’s wife Marilissa is Jimenez’ sister.

Jimenez has supported Castillo family’s call for justice and advocated  prosecution of the accused.

Ramos and Salamat’s co-accused include Arvin Balag, Ralph Trangia, Oliver John Onofre, Mhin Wei Chan and Axel Munro Hipe, Danielle Hans Rodrigo, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Marcelino Bagtang.

A warrant of arrest has also been released against all of the 10 accused who are facing a case for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.    /muf