Palace welcomes UST move to expel 8 students in Atio hazing

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday welcomed the decision of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to expel eight law students implicated in the hazing death of UST law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

“We think it’s the right step forward,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a Palace briefing.

Roque pointed out that expelling the eight law students sends a clear message that schools will not tolerate violence on campuses.

He, however, said that expulsion was “only the beginning,” noting that criminal prosecution for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law should also be carried out.

On Sunday, The Varsitarian — the official student publication of the university — posted a statement from the school administration that the committee investigating the death of Castillo found the eight students guilty of violating the university’s Code of Conduct and Discipline and said it would impose expulsion over the law students. The names of the students were, however, withheld.

A Department of Justice (DOJ) panel is expected to come up with a resolution in connection with the preliminary investigation on the criminal complaints concerning Castillo’s death by mid-February.

Pending before the DOJ are complaints of murder, violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, obstruction of justice, robbery and perjury separately filed by the Manila Police District and Castillo’s parents against more than 30 people, most of them members of the UST-based Aegis Juris fraternity.

The DOJ panel initially wrapped up its preliminary investigation last November 16 but re-opened it after receiving a copy of a sworn statement from suspect-turned-witness Marc Anthony Ventura last month. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)

Popular

On Teachers’ Month, DepEd notes good news for teachers

By Brian Campued As the Philippines joins the global community in honoring the invaluable contributions of teachers in shaping the next generation’s leaders and professionals,...

Phivolcs identifies fault that caused magnitude 6.9 Cebu quake

By Brian Campued State seismologists have located the source of the powerful offshore earthquake that jolted northern Cebu and the rest of Visayas on Sept....

PBBM: Launch of new dairy farm to boost local milk production, supply

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed optimism that the inauguration of the Farm Fresh Milk...

PBBM leads distribution of various aid to Aeta communities in Pampanga

By Brian Campued In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month this October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of various forms of...