THE Uber driver who brought the personal belongings of hazing victim Horacio Castillo III in his home turned up at the Manila Police District (MPD) on Wednesday morning, September 20.
The driver who refused to be identified due to security reasons said he accepted Castillo's booking request on Saturday, September 16.
When he was about to pick him up around 1:40 p.m. on Dapitan Street, near the University of Santo Tomas, Castillo requested to bring only his personal belongings to their house in Makati City.
He said he agreed to Castillo's request after seeing that the bag only contained school supplies.
"Ang bilin niya sa akin, pagdating ko sa kanila tawagan ko siya para magbukas ng pinto 'yung katulong nila," he said.
"Nu'ng dumating ako sa kanila, tinawagan ko nga siya. Siguro mga tatlong beses akong tumawag, hindi niya sinasagot 'yung telepono, parang busy. 'Yung pang-apat, sinagot na niya. Nagkausap kami, 'yun. Mag-door bell na lang daw ako, alam na raw ng katulong," he added.
He said he then handed over Castillo's bag to their household help who asked him where the teen was and if he was his friend.
"Ang sagot ko, 'Hindi, sa Uber ako nag-aano, nagda-drive ako sa Uber. Pinahatid lang niya bag dito sa inyo," he said.
However, the Uber driver said he noticed that Castillo seemed to be anxious when he picked up his things.
"Pawisan tapos parang balisa nga, 'yung may iniisip na malalim," he said.
He said he learned only about Castillo's death on Tuesday and was saddened by it.
The Uber driver condoled with Castillo's family and said he was willing to cooperate with the police investigation.
MPD spokesperson Erwin Margarejo said the Uber driver's statement is a big help in the investigation.
Castillo who was allegedly found on Sunday dumped on a sidewalk in Tondo, Manila was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
MPD medico-legal officers said he died of cardiac arrest secondary to the injuries he obtained from possible hazing.
Carmina Castillo earlier said her son allegedly attended the welcoming rights of the Aegis Juris fraternity. (VoxPop Philippines)
