Divina on hazing case: ‘My conscience is clear’

DEAN Nilo T. Divina of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law yesterday defended himself against accusations of his involvement in the alleged attempted cover-up of the death of a UST law student from fraternity hazing. Mr. Divina, in an e-mailed statement, said, “Whatever version of the story is foisted upon the public, my conscience is clear. I am at peace in the knowledge that I have not transgressed the law or breached any moral obligation.” Student Horacio Tomas “Atio” Castillo III was found dead on Sept. 17 after supposedly attending a “welcome ceremony” of the Aegis Juris fraternity. Mr. Divina is a member of the fraternity, but has previously claimed that he has not been participating in the group’s activities. “I repeat, I did not know Atio personally. I have done everything in my power to prevent hazing and any form of violence which are against my fundamentally held beliefs. I have also done what I could to extend help to the family and assist in the police investigation,” he said. Mr. Castillo’s death has prompted a Congressional review of the country’s law on hazing. Mr. Divina has filed three libel cases against Lorna Kapunan, the Castillo family’s lawyer. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan