UST expels 8 civil law students over Atio Castillo's hazing death

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has ordered the expulsion of eight law students for their alleged involvement in the death of hazing victim Horacio "Atio" Castillo III.

The university's official publication The Varsitarian reported on Sunday that eight civil law students have been found "guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and Discipline and imposing the supreme penalty of expulsion.”

The civil law students were not identified in the Varsitarian report.

The resolution was handed down by a fact-finding committee formed by by UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., on Sept. 19, 2017.

The committee's investigations are ongoig and it had vowed to continue its probe until all students involved in Castillo's death are held liable.

“The University reiterates its commitment to ferret out the truth, determine liability, and impose the appropriate sanctions. In the Eucharistic Celebrations held at the UST Faculty of Civil Law, at the Santuario de San Antonio during the wake and at the UST Chapel during the day of mourning for the death of Horacio, UST has always been one with the Castillo family in the steadfast call for everyone to pray and work together to achieve justice for Horacio and for truth to prevail,” the statement from UST read.

“It recommended a comprehensive review of the Student Handbook and the accreditation process for organizations. It issued an indefinite moratorium on the recruitment and all other activities of all fraternities and sororities in the University,” it added.

The University also reiterated its efforts in working with the Manila Police District and the National Bureau of Investigation to identify the members of Aegis Juris fraternity who are involved in Castillo's death.

The first resolution was released by the committee after Castillo's mother, Carminian, condemned the university for supposedly abandoning her son.

"Mahal na mahal niya ang UST and parang at this point nararamdaman ko that UST has abandoned him," Carminia said, adding that the administration has not taken any "action" as she believes that there are still Aegis Juris members who are currently enrolled in UST.

The bereaved family has planned to file a complaint against UST before the Vatican.

Meanwhile, criminal charges have been filed against members of the fraternity who allegedly had a hand in Castillo's death. —ALG, GMA News