MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas has expelled eight of its law students being linked to last year’s hazing death of 22-year-old Horacio Tomas “Atio” Castilo III after a UST committee found them guilty of violating the school’s code of conduct and discipline.
A statement from the office of Associate Professor Giovanna V. Fontanilla, director of UST’s Office of Public Affairs (OSA), said the eight students had been imposed “the supreme penalty of expulsion.”
The office, however, did not identify the students who were dismissed.
The university said the committee formed by the UST rector on September 19, 2017 and composed of six administrators and a representative from the Central Student Council “shall continue its investigation until all students who were involved in the hazing incident are held administratively liable.”
Also, OSA said the panel had submitted reports and other pertinent documents related to Castillo’s death to Legal Education Board, the Senate and the Commission on Higher Education and also sent authorized representatives to the Senate hearings.
Moreover, the office said that in October 2017, the Office for Student Affairs conducted a university-wide seminar for organization advisers and student leaders on the anti-hazing law.
“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,” the OSA said.
The University reiterates its commitment to ferret out the truth, determine liability, and impose the appropriate sanctions…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,” it added.
