The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is facing intense scrutiny following the suicide of BS Physical Therapy student Junver Toledo. His family accuses the university of negligence, alleging a failure to address his pleas for help before his death, and is demanding a full investigation and institutional reforms.
Manila, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is facing mounting pressure following the tragic death of BS Physical Therapy senior Junver Toledo, with his family accusing the university of negligence and demanding accountability. In a powerful statement read during the filing of a House resolution seeking a probe into the incident, Junver’s sister, Olive Toledo, delivered a scathing indictment of UST’s alleged failure to address her brother’s evident distress before his suicide.
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The family’s letter, read by UST Panday Sining president Raven Racelis, paints a picture of a university system ill-equipped to handle student mental health crises. Olive alleges that Junver displayed clear signs of distress prior to his death, yet the university failed to intervene. Crucially, an email sent by Junver to the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) just two hours before his death, pleading for grade reconsideration, underscores the family’s claim of negligence. In this email, Junver offered to do “anything” to improve his grade, which was only 1.5% short of the passing mark for the course Clinical Correlation and Team Approach, a course he failed for the second time.
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Olive’s letter goes beyond this single email, alleging a pattern of inaction in response to Junver’s pleas for help and prior complaints. She criticizes UST’s “inadequate systems of reporting and response” from faculty, staff, and student support services, characterizing the university’s response as “institutional silence and lack of transparency.” This silence, she argues, constitutes a breach not only of moral responsibility but also potentially legal and ethical violations of student care standards.
The Toledo family’s demands are clear and forceful: a public apology from UST leadership, a thorough investigation into the events leading to Junver’s death, disciplinary action against any negligent faculty members, and a public commitment to comprehensive mental health reforms and improved crisis-response protocols. Olive’s poignant closing statement encapsulates the family’s grief and their determination to seek justice: “We loved our brother. He trusted the institution. UST failed him. We demand justice, not just for him, but for every student who continues to walk the halls, unaware that their cries for help might also go unanswered.”
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The House resolution, now filed, will likely initiate a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Junver’s death and UST’s role in the tragedy. The university’s response to these serious allegations will be closely scrutinized, not only by the family but also by the wider community and the public at large. This case highlights the urgent need for universities to prioritize student mental health and to implement robust support systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
UST Remains Silent After Closed-Door Meeting with Family of Deceased Student
Manila, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) remains tight-lipped following a closed-door meeting with the family of Junver Toledo, a BS Physical Therapy senior who tragically died on May 30. The meeting, held in the Rector’s Hall, was attended by high-ranking university officials, including a top Dominican administrator, UST legal counsel, a guidance counselor, CRS Dean Anne Marie Aseron, and a faculty member from the Clinical Correlation and Team Approach program. The Toledo family, including Junver’s parents, aunt, uncle, and sister, also participated. A significant detail, however, casts a long shadow over the proceedings: the family reports a distinct lack of remorse from the university administration.
According to Junver’s sister, Olive, who joined the meeting virtually, the university’s responses felt rehearsed and calculated, leaving the family feeling unheard and unsupported in their grief. Olive’s father, present at the meeting, corroborated this sentiment, stating he felt no sympathy from the UST administration. This stark contrast between the university’s official silence and the family’s account raises serious questions about the institution’s handling of this sensitive matter.
Adding to the opacity surrounding the incident, a Varsitarian team attempting to gather information at the Main Building on the day of the meeting was repeatedly removed by security, despite presenting both UST and press credentials. This incident further underscores the university’s apparent reluctance to provide transparency regarding Toledo’s death.
The meeting occurred on the same day UST’s Baccalaureate Mass for the Class of 2025 was scheduled, although it was postponed due to inclement weather. This juxtaposition highlights the jarring contrast between the university’s celebration of graduating students and its handling of the tragedy surrounding Toledo.
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The College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) has yet to respond to two letters from the Varsitarian. The first, sent on May 23, requested information about planned improvements to mental health policies and course failure protocols in light of Toledo’s death. A follow-up letter, sent on June 3, sought information about the results of the family meeting. This continued silence from the CRS raises further concerns about accountability and transparency.
The lack of communication and the family’s account of the meeting paint a troubling picture of UST’s response to this tragedy. The university’s actions, or rather, inactions, leave many questions unanswered and raise serious concerns about its commitment to student well-being and its responsibility to provide transparent and empathetic responses to such devastating events. The Varsitarian will continue to follow this developing story and seek answers from the university.
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