Atio Castillo’s family turns to Vatican over UST ‘inaction’

The family of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III has turned to the Vatican in pursuit of "change" one year after the University of Santo Tomas (UST) law student's death of allegedly hazing-inflicted injuries last year.

Atio's mother, Carminia, confirmed Tuesday that the Vatican received the family's letter, the contents of which she did not immediately divulge, last month.

It was earlier reported that the Castillo family intended to file a complaint against UST, a Catholic university under the authority of the pope, for its supposed "inaction" over Atio's death in September 2017.

Carminia said this subject was part of the letter, along with other issues she did not elaborate on.

"This undertaking is being done not to divide but strengthen the present school system as well as to look after our children who work very hard as students, that they may be protected and be reminded the school is there to guide them to become morally independent individuals seeking the goodness in all situations," she told GMA News Online.

Meanwhile, 10 members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity are detained at the Manila City Jail as they undergo trial for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law before a local court.

Judge Marivic Balisi-Umali of the Manila Regional Trial Court's Branch 20 is hearing the petition for bail of Ralph Trangia, one of the accused, which prompted the calling to the witness stand of prosecution witness Marc Ventura.

The defense lawyers' cross-examination of Ventura continued on Tuesday.

Atio, 22, died of "severe blunt traumatic injuries" after attending the welcoming rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity in September last year. — BM, GMA News