UST law student dies due to alleged hazing

A 22-year-old first year law student of the University of Santo Tomas died due to injuries from alleged hazing.

In a report on Unang Balita by Athena Imperial, a concerned citizen found the body of the victim at the corner of H. Lopez Boulevard and Infanta Street in Balut, Tondo around 8 a.m. on Sunday.

The student, identified as Horacio Tomas Castillo III, was rushed to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Castillo's family learned about the incident around 1 a.m. Monday, when the student's mother received a text message from the hospital.

Castillo's bloated body bore bruises, cigarette and candle wax burns.

The victim's uncle, who is a doctor, believes that Castillo died after undergoing hazing rites of the Aegis Juris Fraternity, which is based in UST.

Castillo's parents said they allowed their son to join the fraternity since they were told that there would be no hazing rites.

The student left their home on Saturday to attend the fraternity's welcome ceremony for new members.

"What he told me is his fraternity doesn't do hazing. So sabi niya, they have initiation wherein you do things but not hazing," a relative of Castillo said.

Meanwhile, the family learned that the number of a certain Axel Hipe registered as the last phone call of Castillo.

The victim's family said Hipe is a member of the fraternity.

UST said it is investigating the incident and will issue a statement after the probe is finished.

GMA News is trying to reach the Aegis Juris Fraternity for a statement. —ALG/KVD/KG, GMA News