The other victim in the Castillo hazing case

THE legal profession appears to have taken a bad hit as a result of the fatal hazing of UST student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III. Apart from the Aegis Juris fraternity members directly responsible for Atio’s tragic fate, 19 lawyer-members of the fraternity are accused of attempting to cover up the crime. They now face charges of obstruction of justice and disbarment.

Needless to say, the fratmen who battered Atio to death deserve the harshest penalty from the courts. Unfortunately, it appears that some people are being unjustly implicated in the case. Foremost among them is UST Law Dean Nilo Divina.

Records clearly show that there is no evidence at all – either in the investigation conducted by the Manila police or in the Senate inquiry – that Divina had any involvement in the hazing. Without question, he had no prior knowledge of the event and did not participate in the cover-up.

Since he became dean, Divina has not been active in Aegis Juris affairs, and being photographed at a few social events does not prove otherwise. What is beyond debate, however, is that he actively assisted in the police investigation, and did not skip a single Senate hearing. Why is he being linked to the crime?

It would appear that Divina is being unjustly dragged into the case and has now become another victim in this dreadful tragedy. There are now at least 30 respondents in this case, each of them entitled to legal counsel. Now, imagine 30 defense lawyers interposing objections during the trial, filing petitions and employing other legal maneuvers on behalf of their clients.

This may cause court proceedings to grind to a halt, and ultimately delay the trial of those who actually caused Atio’s untimely demise.