UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina defended his decision to suspend Aegis Juris fratmen, saying it was because of the “gravity of offense” and not part of a coverup.
“The reason I issued an order [of suspension] last Monday is [based on] the gravity of the offense [and] at the same time to make sure that there will be no interference in the investigation,” Divina told reporters after visiting the wake of Civil Law freshman Horacio Castillo III on Wednesday at the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City
Members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity were placed under indefinite “preventive suspension” and barred from entering the UST campus under Divina’s memo dated Sept. 18, following the death of Castillo in hazing rites.
The order was criticized by the police and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who claimed it impeded the police investigation.
The suspension was partially lifted on Sept. 20 to allow the police to talk to members of the fraternity.
READ: Suspension order on Aegis Juris fratmen partially lifted to allow probe
Divina urged those involved in the hazing rites to turn themselves in to authorities and face the consequences of their actions.
“We directed them to attend and make themselves available for conference and interviews. The adviser talked to me and we said this should direct all the members involved to show up and face the consequences of their actions and defend themselves in the proper forum,” Divina said.
