UST law dean laments straying of fratmen

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina lamented how some of the younger members of the Aegis Juris fraternity strayed and got involved in the hazing that killed 22-year-old Horacio Castillo III.

Divina, who joined the fraternity in 1986, said a majority of the dean’s listers during his time at the UST law school were from Aegis Juris. When he graduated, he was class valedictorian, while the salutatorian and the third honorable mention were also from the fraternity.

“So that time, we (Aegis Juris members) were known for academic excellence. Something may have happened along the way,” Divina told reporters after last week’s Senate hearing into Castillo’s death.

Divina testified during the hearing before the Senate committee on public order that he took a leave from the fraternity when he was appointed dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law several years ago.

He also testified he had several Aegis Juris members suspended or expelled from the faculty the previous school year, including several suspects in the case, that earned him the ire of some fraternity members.

Arvin Balag, the current “grand prafaectus” or head of the fraternity, and Jose Miguel Salamat were already enrolled at Lyceum University of the Philippines College of Law when they allegedly took part in the deadly initiation rites of Castillo.

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel earlier cleared Divina of any involvement in the hazing nor the subsequent attempts to cover up the incident allegedly done by the suspects and some of their seniors.

Divina said those involved in the reported attempt at cover-up must be sanctioned. 

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri told dzBB yesterday those who were identified in the Facebook chat group apparently plotting to cover up the incident will be summoned to the next Senate hearing.

According to its profile in the UST Faculty of Civil Law website, the Aegis Juris, which means “Shield of Justice,” was founded in December 1979 by 25 “young, idealistic, and brave founders.” UST has taken down the profile since Castillo’s death.