UST to observe Day of Mourning on Sept. 21

The University of Santo Tomas has suspended classes and office work on the campus on Thursday, September 21, to observe a Day of Mourning and Prayer for the victims of "senseless loss of life."

In an advisory on Wednesday afternoon, the Office of the Secretary-General said, "To give the community time for this observance, classes and office work will be suspended on September 21, 2017 (Thursday). May we always be reminded of the sanctity of life."

The advisory was issued following the death of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo III after alleged hazing rites conducted by the Aegis Juris fraternity. Police said the victim died of heart attack possibly due to the injuries he suffered.

UST has vowed to investigate the incident and submitted a list of names of the members of the fraternity to the Manila Police District (MPD).

UST Faculty of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina earlier lifted the suspension imposed on the members of the Aegis Juris fraternity so that they would be available for investigation and interviews.

Castillo's family learned about the incident when his mother, Carminia Castillo, received an anonymous text message saying that her son was brought to the Chinese General Hospital.

At least three suspects identified as John Paul Solano, Ralph Trangia and Antonio Trangia are now subjects of manhunt operations by the MPD in connection with the incident.

The Department of Justice also ordered the Bureau of Immigration to monitor the whereabouts of 16 members of the fraternity linked to Castillo's death.  —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/JST, GMA News