(Eagle News) — University of Sto. Tomas Faculty of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina on Monday denied he had prior knowledge of the hazing rites which led to the death of Horacio Castillo III, and that he had anything to do with the alleged coverup of the UST student’s death.
In his counteraffidavit submitted on Monday to the Department of Justice, Divina said he did not call Castillo’s parents on Sept. 17, the day the UST student died, because he did not know who the hazing victim was at that time.
“By not calling on September 17, which witness did I prevent from testifying or reporting through bribery, misrepresentation, etc? By not calling on the 17th, which particular person did I harbor or conceal or facilitate the escape of–one whom I had reasonable ground to suspect had committed an offense?” Divina asked.
He said as soon as he received more information, he got in touch with Castillo’s parents and with authorities, who, at that time, had not reached out to him still.
“I took it upon myself to write General Joel Napoleon Coronel, the head of the Manila Police District (MPD), requesting for a dialogue to enable us in the Faculty of Civil Law to implement whatever measures you think is necessary to assist the police in its investigation,” Divina said.
Addressing the allegations he erred in meting out a preventive suspension against members of the Aegis Juris fraternity believed responsible for Castillo’s death, Divina said he meant to “protect the student body and alleviate their fears brought about by news reports concerning Atio’s death, with the possible complicity of some members of Aegis Juris” when he did the same.
He said based on Section 106 of the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education of 2008, a school has the authority to prevent a student who is under investigation from entering school premises and attending classes.
As for allegations he met with Castillo five days before the hazing rites, Divina said this was not possible based on footage from closed-circuit television camera near his law office, the DivinaLaw firm.
Castillo’s parents had concluded their son had gone to see Divina based on a Sept. 12 text message by their son that said he was in a law firm near “Petron gas along Buendia.”
“All I can say is there is no basis to hold me liable. This complaint should be dismissed. It is obviously being driven by some quarters to prosecute and humiliate me,” he said, noting that he was thinking of resigning from the fraternity after Castillo’s case.
