By Jaimie Rose R. Aberia
The Uber driver hired by alleged hazing victim Horacio Castillo III told police that the first year University of Sto. Tomas (UST) student looked troubled when they met on Saturday afternoon.
The driver, who requested anonymity, went to the Manila Police District (MPD) Headquarters to give his sworn statement Tuesday night.
“Siguro kaya ganun reaksyon ng mukha nya – pawisan, balisa, may iniisip na malalim – kasi may pupuntahan siyang hindi maganda,” he said.
He said he was sure that it was Castillo who booked him on the afternoon of September 16 because it was the first time that a passenger requested him to send home only his belongings.
“Tanda ko talaga kasi isang beses lang nangyari sa akin na bag lang ang ihahatid kaya natatandaan ko talaga ‘yung tao na ‘yun,” he narrated.
He said he met Castillo, who was heavily sweating, near the Dapitan gate of University of Santo Tomas (UST) about 1:40 p.m.
“Tinanong niya ko kung pwedeng bag lang nya ihatid. Sabi ko sa kanya basta titignan ko ‘yung laman nung bag. Nung na-check ko ‘yung bag na ang laman notebook, yellow pad – gamit sa school, pumayag na ko,” the Uber driver recounted.
He said that while he had questions, he decided not to ask.
“Nagtataka ako syempre, napaisip na lang ako kasi wala akong karapatang magtanong. Hindi na ko nagtanong. Iniisip ko kasi baka magalit yung pasahero, baka may sikreto siyang lakad, “Basta siniguro ko lang na ‘yung bag walang lamang illegal,” he added.
From UST, the driver travelled to Castillo’s home in Makati and called him up until he finally answered the fourth call.
“Sabi nya magdoorbell ako, alam na raw ng katulong. E di nag doorbell ako, inabot ko ‘yung bag,” he said.
He again called up Castillo to say that he has sent home the bag and the victim thanked him.
The Uber driver said he was saddened by Castillo’s fate and he is willing to personally talk to the victim’s parents if they want to ask him more questions.
“Kung may gusto silang malaman, kung gusto nilang makausap ako ng personal, okay lang basta bakante ako,” he said.