Palace praises UST for expelling law students in Atio Morales fatal hazing

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (Photo from an RTVM video)

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) made the “right step forward” when it expelled eight law students implicated in the fatal hazing of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the expulsion of the law students sent a strong message that schools would not tolerate violence.

“Well, we think it’s the right step forward,” Roque said in a Palace briefing. “Expelling them sends the message that our schools will not tolerate violence on our campuses although that is only the beginning.”

But aside from expulsion, the Palace official said the expelled students should still face prosecution.

“There will have to be criminal prosecution for violation of the anti-hazing law,” he said.

According to an online report by The Varsitarian, the UST confirmed that the committee tasked with investigating the death of Castillo issued a resolution finding the eight students guilty of violating the university’s Code of Conduct and Discipline and would impose “the supreme penalty of expulsion.”

READ: UST expels 8 law students implicated in Atio Castillo fatal hazing

Castillo, a 22-year-old law freshman of the University of Santo Tomas, died after undergoing initiation rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity on Sept. 17. He was laid to rest on Sept. 27. /atm