MANILA - University of Santo Tomas Civil Law dean Nilo Divina is considering quitting the Aegis Jvris fraternity following the alleged hazing death of Horacio Castillo III, his counsel said Thursday.

Divina was disturbed over the chat exchanges among his fraternity brothers that purportedly showed a plan to cover up Atio's death, although the authenticity of the messages had not been confirmed, lawyer Estrella Elamparo told ANC.

Asked if Divina would resign, Elamparo said: "He is still very much considering it."

"He was extremely disappointed regarding the decline in the grades and the quality of recruits in the fraternity," Elamparo said.

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Divina, who said he has been inactive with Aegis Jvris since taking over as dean 8 years ago, is facing criminal complaints for murder, perjury, obstruction of justice and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law filed by the parents of Castillo, Horacio II and Carminia.

The dean is confident he would be cleared of the charges for lack of evidence, Elamparo said, adding Divina did everything in his power to prevent hazing in the university.

"In fact, just this year he implemented a policy of not recruiting freshmen to any organization because it makes them more vulnerable... That was a prohibition that was defied inexplicably in this case," she said.