DOJ affirms clearing UST law dean in hazing case

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has stood firm in its dismissal of criminal charges against University of Santo Tomas (UST) law dean Nilo Divina and other officers and members of Aegis Juris fraternity over the fatal hazing of law freshman Horacio Castillo III in September last year.

In a resolution approved on July 5, the DOJ dismissed the petition for review filed by Castillo’s parents seeking the indictment of Divina and 25 other respondents who were cleared by investigating prosecutors in the resolution of charges of violation of Republic Act 8049 or Anti-Hazing Law last March.

The DOJ earlier found only 11 Aegis Juris members criminally liable after conducting the preliminary investigation.

Indicted for hazing charges were mostly officers of the fraternity, among them Arvin Balag (grand prefectus), Ralph Trangia (sergeant-at-arms), Oliver John Audrey Onofre (treasurer), Mhin Wei Chan (secundus internus), Axel Munro Hipe (master initiator), Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Marcelino Bagtang, Jose Miguel Salamat and Robin Ramos.

No bail was recommended for all the 10 accused, who are now detained at the Manila City Jail while standing trial. They are scheduled for arraignment on July 24.

John Paul Solano, one of the witnesses in the investigation who admitted bringing Castillo to the hospital, was charged with perjury.

The prosecutors found probable cause to indict them based on testimony of state witness Mark Ventura, who gave a detailed account of the hazing. 

The resolution dismissing the case against Divina and the others was signed by Undersecretary Antonio Kho Jr., who was recently appointed commissioner of Commission on Elections (Comelec), citing technical grounds for dismissal of the appeal.

The DOJ cited procedural lapses, particularly the failure of the complainants to file the petition within the period provided under the rules.

It stressed that a petition for review on resolutions of the DOJ must be filed within 15 days upon receipt of the resolution, but the Castillos filed their petition 35 days after receipt.

Apart from Divina, the other frat members who were also cleared of charges were Jason Adolfo Robinos, Aeron Salientes, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Zimon Pedro, Alex Bose, Leo Lalusis, Lennert Bryan Galicia, Nathan Anarna, Chuck Siazar and Karl Matthew Villanueva.