Horacio “Atio” Castillo III INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON
Ten members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity on Tuesday pleaded not guilty for the death of University of Sto. Tomas freshman law student Horacio Tomas “Atio” Castillo III.
The accused – Ralph Trangia, Marcelino Bagtang, Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Robin Ramos, Jose Miguel Salamat and Danielle Hans Matthew – entered not guilty pleas when they were arraigned before the sala of Manila RTC Branch Presiding Judge Marivic Balisi Umali.
They were accused of violating Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.
The accused then asked the court to allow them to post bail for their temporary liberty.
A bail hearing was set for August 14.
Castillo died of “severe blunt traumatic injuries” after allegedly undergoing the initiation rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity in September last year.