(UPDATED) Ralph Trangia, one of the primary suspects in the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas (US) law student Horacio Castillo III, returned to Manila on Tuesday, October 10, from the United States.
Trangia and his mother, Rosemarie, left for the US on September 18, a day before the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against hazing suspects, mostly members of the university-based Aegis Juris Fraternity.
As soon as he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Paranaque City onboard Eva Air flight BR 271 from Taipei around 11:40 a.m., security personnel talked to him.
“Upon Trangia's arrival at the airport, it's the BI (Bureau of Immigration) that has primary jurisdiction on him in view of the lookout bulletin order issued by DOJ (Department of Justice). But the MPD will ask him if he's willing to undergo investigation. If he expressed willingness, he will be brought at the MPD, if not, he will be released,” said MPD Director Joel Coronel.
However, MPD homicide division chief Senior Inspector Rommel Anicete said Trangia will be heading home, and assured that he will contact the authorities regarding the case of Castillo.
Trangia was among the 18 individuals, mostly members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity, who are facing murder, violations of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law, perjury, obstruction of justice, and robbery in relation to the killing of Castillo.
Trangia's mother is also facing obstruction of justice complaint, while his father, Antonio, is a co-respondent in the cases filed against at least 20 suspects in the fatal hazing of the freshman law student.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Trangia could be a potential witness in Castillo's case "depending on what he will tell our investigators."
"I encourage Mr. Trangia and his family to fully cooperate, to tell the truth and, as a future lawyer, to work for justice," he said.
Aguirre said the government is willing to offer the DOJ's Witness Protection Program to the Trangia family. (SunStar Philippines)