JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II on Wednesday admitted that John Paul Solano may qualify as a government witness in the case of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III, who died during the initiation rites of Aegis Juris fraternity last week.
However, Aguirre said Solano has not applied to be placed under the witness protection program (WPP) of the Deparment of Justice (DOJ).
Aguirre also denied offering Solano to be placed under the WPP, while the latter’s camp is reportedly not inclined to be covered by the program.
The issue on Solano becoming a state witness came after her expressed his readiness to tell everything he knows about Castillo’s death in the hands of his brothers in the fraternity.
Solano has identified several members of the fraternity who were involved in the fatal initiation rites of Castillo in an executive session at the Senate on Tuesday.
“It is possible but he has not yet applied,” Aguirre said.
To be covered by the WPP, the person has to submit an application and execute an affidavit. While the application is being processed and the affidavit is being evaluated, the person will be admitted under the program provisionally, which means the person will be given protection by the DOJ.
Earlier, Sen. Juan F. Miguel Zubiri said Solano named six members of the fraternity and a nonmember during the Senate executive session.
Zubiri said Solano’s information would help the Manila Police District (MPD) pursue other frat members.
On Monday the MPD filed criminal complaints against Solano and 17 others before the DOJ in connection with the death of Castillo.
Solano is facing the charges of murder, obstruction of justice, perjury, robbery and violation of Anti-Hazing Act.
Also facing murder and violation of the Anti-Hazing Act complaints were filed against Aegis Juris fraternity members identified as Antonio Trangia, his son Ralph, Arvin R. Balag, Mhin Wei R. Chan, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Oliver John Audrey B. Onofre, Jason Adolfo Robiños, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Karl Mathew Villanueva, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Axel Munro Hipe, Marc Anthony Ventura, Aeron Salientes, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro and Jose Miguel Salamat.
A complaint for obstruction of justice will also be filed against Rosemarie Trangia, Ralph’s mother, who assisted his son in fleeing the country.
Ralph has reportedly fled to the United States following the incident.