DOJ puts UST’s Divina on immigration lookout over Atio Castillo case

Lian Buan

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

DOJ puts UST’s Divina on immigration lookout over Atio Castillo case
(UPDATED) Some of the names in the lookout order check out with the names that appear in the group chat of Aegis Juris alumni who held a meeting when Castillo was killed

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday, October 26, included University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law dean Nilo Divina in an immigration lookout bulletin order over the hazing death of freshman law student and Aegis Juris fraternity neophyte Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

Divina is part of Aegis Juris but claims he is no longer an active member of the fraternity. 

With Divina in the lookout order are 63 others.

“Considering the gravity of the offense allegedly committed, there is a strong possibility that the following individuals may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes by leaving the country,” Aguirre said in his order.

Divina, in a statement on Thursday, said his inclusion in the order is “unfortunate but not entirely unexpected.”

“It is clear that I have no liability because I have no prior actual knowledge of the alleged hazing incident and I am not a party to any cover-up. Nevertheless, I will comply with whatever order the DOJ (Department of Justice) may issue,” the UST law dean also said.

“In fact, I just came from two overseas business trips. In both cases, I had to cut short my trip and adjust my schedule to be able to attend to Senate committee and DOJ hearings. I am committed to fulfill my duties that require my presence. At the same time, I will not hesitate to challenge any act which transgresses my right. I remain confident that in time my name will be cleared and I will be vindicated.”

In an earlier order by the DOJ, 20 Aegis Juris members – both students and alumni – had been named. Some of those names appear again in the new order, but Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said all orders are complementary, meaning the previous one still stands even though some names there may not appear on the new list.

The names in the new lookout order are:

  1. Alex Bose
  2. Alex Cairo
  3. Alexander Flores
  4. Allan Cristopher Agati
  5. Alvin Dysangco
  6. Arnel Bernardo
  7. Arthur B. Capili
  8. Arthur Capili (Balmes said having two entries for Arthur Capili is a precautionary measure, but these refer to the same person)
  9. Arvin Balag
  10. Atty Alston Kevin Anarna
  11. Atty Cecilio Jimeno
  12. Atty Cesar “Mong” Gaba dela Fuente
  13. Atty Cesar Ocampo Ona
  14. Atty Edzel Bert Canlas
  15. Atty Ferdinand Rogelio
  16. Atty Gaile Dante Acuzar Caraan
  17. Atty Henry Pablo Jr
  18. Atty Jet dela Peña Villaroman
  19. Atty Manuel Angelo Ventura III
  20. Atty Marvi Abo
  21. Atty Michael Vito
  22. Atty Niño Servanez
  23. Axxel Munro Hipe (Hipe spells his first name as “Axel” on his counter-affidavit)
  24. Brian Bangui
  25. Cezar Tirol
  26. Chuck Siazar
  27. Daniel Ragos
  28. Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo
  29. Dave Felix
  30. Edric Pilapil
  31. Edwin Uy
  32. Emmanuel Velasco
  33. Gabriel Robeniol 
  34. Ged Villanueva
  35. Henry Pablo Jr
  36. Jason Adolfo Robiños
  37. John Paul Solano
  38. Jose Miguel Salamat
  39. Joshua Joriel Macabali
  40. Karl Matthew Villanueva
  41. Kim Cyrill Roque
  42. Lennert Bryan Galicia
  43. Leo Lalusis
  44. Luis Kapulong
  45. Manny Ventura
  46. Marcelino Bagtang
  47. Mhin Wei Chan
  48. Michael Joseph Fernandez
  49. Milfen Alvarado
  50. Nathan Anarna
  51. Nilo Divina
  52. Oliver John Audrey Onofre
  53. Oscar Ce
  54. Paulino Yusi
  55. Ralph Trangia
  56. Ranie Santiago
  57. Robin Ramos
  58. Romeo Rivera Laboga
  59. Ronald Cheng
  60. RR Magbuhos
  61. Sam Cagalingan
  62. Vicente Garcia
  63. William Merginie
  64. Zach Abolencia/Zach Abulencia
  65. Zimon Padro

Mark Anthony Ventura, identified as the secretary of Aegis Juris, turned state witness on Wednesday, October 25. Aguirre said Ventura has identified all the fratmen who were present or participated in Castillo’s initiation rites on September 17.

Aguirre said Ventura named more than those indicated in the first lookout order, which had 20 people.

Asked who among the 64 are on Ventura’s list, Balmes declined to comment, citing the confidentiality rule of the Witness Protection Program.

The lookout order does not prevent the subjects from leaving the country, but it sets up a mechanism among authorities to be alerted of their movements.

In the order, Aguirre also mentioned 29 “persons of interest,” citing the Facebook group chat among Aegis Juris alumni which pointed to a subsequent meeting at Novotel in Cubao.

The DOJ did not release the full list of the 29.


 

– Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Face, Happy, Head

author

Lian Buan

Lian Buan is a senior investigative reporter, and minder of Rappler's justice, human rights and crime cluster.