EMBATTLED TOP lawyer and university dean Nilo T. Divina has been included in a list of 65 individuals now subject to an updated Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued on Thursday, Oct. 26, in connection with the Sept. 16 death by hazing of Aegis Juris recruit Horacio Tomas Castillo III.

An urgent memorandum by Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II, addressed to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and also to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Prosecution Service, lists Mr. Divina and other “persons of interest” as being now subject “of this ILBO.”

“Considering the gravity of the offense allegedly committed, there is a strong possibility that the following individuals may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes by leaving the country,” noted Mr. Aguirre’s memorandum, which serves to update two earlier issued ILBOs dated Sept. 22 and Oct. 20.

“The new ILBO is supplemental so the previous one is still existing based on the Senate hearing and the request of the PNP,” DoJ Undersecretary Erickson H. Balmes explained in a text message to reporters.

Curiously, the list also includes a deceased lawyer, the late Cavite state prosecutor Emmanuel Y. Velasco, who died in 2013.

Mr. Balmes said they were not aware that Mr. Velasco had died, although he was a high-profile special prosecutor once assigned to handle heinous crimes.

Court of Appeals Associate Justice Gabriel T. Robeniol, a member of Aegis Juris’ board of trustees, is also in the list at no. 33, as well as former Isabela representative Edwin C. Uy (no. 31) and senior Aegis Juris members and officials of the University of Santo Tomas, where Mr. Divina serves as dean of the Faculty of Civil Law.

In a statement, Mr. Divina said his inclusion (at no. 51 in the list) “is indeed unfortunate. It has become increasingly clear that I have no liability because I have no prior actual knowledge of the alleged hazing incident and I am not a party to any cover-up.”

He added: “Nevertheless, I will comply with whatever order the DoJ may issue. In fact, I just came from two overseas business trips. In both cases, I had to cut short my trip and adjust my schedule to be able to attend to Senate committee and DoJ hearings. I am committed to fulfill my duties that require my presence. At the same time, I will not hesitate to challenge any act which transgresses my right.”

Others in the list are fraternity members Arvin R. Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Jason Adolfo Robiños, Ralph Trangia, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Jose Miguel Salamat, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Carl Matthew Villanueva, Marcelino Bactang, Zimon Padro, and John Paul Solano.

Fraternity members Aeron Salientes and Marc Anthony Ventura are not included in the supplemental ILBO but were previously included in the Sept. 20 ILBO.

The ILBO was released a day after Mr. Ventura appeared before the DoJ to recount what he claimed to be the circumstances of Mr. Castillo’s hazing, as well as the personalities involved. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan with a report by interaksyon.com

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