Expulsion of UST students in ‘Atio’ hazing death hailed

Malacañang hailed the expulsion of eight University of Santo Tomas (UST) students tagged in the death of freshman law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III following the initiation rites of a law-school based fraternity.

UST on Sunday announced its decision to expel the eight students linked to the death of Castillo, whose body was found by his parents in a morgue in Manila after attending the initiation rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity in September, 2017.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in a press briefing, said that UST made the right decision in kicking out the said students as it proves that campuses do not condone violence.

“We think it’s the right step forward. Expelling them sends the message that our schools will not tolerate violence on our campuses, although that’s only the beginning,” he said Monday afternoon.

Roque, however, said that expulsion is not enough as the said students must still be held responsible by violating the country’s Anti-Hazing Law.

Malacañang earlier condemned the death of the hazing victim who was declared dead when he was brought to the Chinese General Hospital last September.

Aegis Juris fraternity member John Paul Solano, who brought Castillo to the said hospital, had denied that he took part in the hazing and claimed that he tried to revive the 22-year-old freshman.

On Sunday, the UST confirmed that the Committee tasked to investigate Castillo’s death has issued its first resolution finding the eight law students guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and Discipline and imposing the supreme penalty of expulsion.

“The University reiterates its commitment to ferret out the truth, determine liability, and impose the appropriate sanctions,” UST said in a statement published in The Varsitarian, the school’s official publication, Sunday.

Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said he would implement the investigating committee’s resolution to expel the eight students.