SC orders release of Aegis Juris leader from Senate detention
by Carisse Nicole Dumaua
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the immediate release of one of the primary suspects in the death of hazing victim Horacio “Atio” Castillo III from the Senate detention facility.
Arvin Balag, a principal suspect and the alleged leader of Aegis Juris Fraternity, was released through an SC resolution dated Dec.12.
“Order in the interim the immediate release of petitioner Arvin R. Balag on the basis of his prayer set forth in his Motion to Resolve Petition pending the resolution of the instant petition by the Court,” the resolution read.
Balag has been detained in the Senate since Oct. 18 after he was cited in contempt for refusing to answer questions during an inquiry on the hazing case of Castillo.
He had filed a petition in November where he mentioned the probe was not in aid of legislation, but “of prosecution,” calling the SC to nullify the contempt citation against him.
He also added that the contempt order had violated his right to fair trial.
Balag is one of the 42 suspects for the death of the 22-year-old UST freshman law student during the fraternity’s initiation rites on Sept. 16.
According to fraternity member Marc Anthony Ventura, Balag made the fifth and final paddle hit that was the one who delivered the fifth and final paddle hit that left Castillo unconscious.
Balag was initially identified as Aegis Juris president based on the fraternity’s records, but he claimed that he had resigned as an officer last August.
