Civil Law faculty should be held accountable, too — Atio’s parents

MANILA, Philippines — The parents of slain hazing victim Horacio “Atio” Castillo III welcomed the decision of the University of Santo Tomas to expel law students involved in their son’s death but maintained that the Civil Law faculty members should be also investigated.  

 

“We thank UST for their actions but they still need to answer a lot of question like how about the faculty members,” Castillo’s parents said in a statement sent to The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST.

 

The Castillos added: “[T]hey are as much as involved since they knew about Atio’s death Sunday morning or noon and they did not even call the police to report or at the least surrender to the police the fraternity members.”

 

They also urged the university to further investigate the practice of Aegis Juris of hazing members.

 

“Given the time of September to the present, UST should have acted on this beforehand. Well, better late than never,” Castillo’s parents said. 

 

 

The family of the slain hazing victim earlier said they would take Castillo’s case to the Vatican, citing the university’s inaction. 

 

UST, as the only pontifical university in the country, is under the authority of the Holy See.

 

On Sunday, UST announced that the committee formed to probe the death of Castillo had decided to expel eight law students after they were found guilty of violating the university’s Code of Conduct and Discipline.

 

The university, however, did not name the expelled students. 

 

“The University reiterates its commitment to ferret out the truth, determine liability and impose the appropriate sanction,” UST said, claiming it “has always been one” with the Castillo family in achieving justice for the slain law student. 

 

Senate panels on public order and dangerous drugs found out that Castillo died at the hands of Aegis Juris fraternity members during hazing rites September last year. 

 

The committees also recommended the disbarment of at least 19 lawyers who were supposedly aware of Castillo’s death, including Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina—who is also a member of Aegis Juris.