7 suspects involved in alleged hazing death of Adamson student now under police custody

At least seven suspects involved in the death of a chemical engineering student whose body showed signs of hazing are now under the custody of the police, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

PNP public information officer (PIO) chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan confirmed that they are among the 17 persons involved in the fatal death of 24-year-old John Matthew Salilig, are now under the custody of the police.

The body of the student at Adamson University was found more than a week after he was last seen alive.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Wednesday, Police Colonel Virgilio Jopia, chief of Biñan City, Laguna Police said they are still looking for the 10 others involved in the case.

“Ang actual breakdown po natin ay from 18 po yon including the victim. So, actually po sa 18 na yun, apat po doon ay nag-undergo ng initiation rights. Bale 14 lang po talaga yung naginitiate ng rights, ng initiation rights,” Jopia said.

(They were 18 people, including the victim. Four of them underwent initiation rights. 14 gave the initiation rights.) 

“Nakipagtulungan po tayo sa Adamson University para makuha po natin yung other at full name ng iba pang kasapi dito at ongoing na po yung ating tracker team para malocate yung whereabouts nila,” he added.

(We are coordinating with Adamson University to get the full names of the people involved. Tracker teams are already locating their whereabouts.)

Jopia said they are still looking for the “wooden paddle” used during the initiation rights.

“Base doon sa investigation, nakita natin na actual na dala ito [wooden paddle] ng naka-riding in tandem na magkabrad bago sila pumasok sa venue nila,” he said.

(Based on the investigation, a wooden paddle was brought by a riding in tandem who are fraternity brothers when they entered the venue.)

Meanwhile, Jopia said the residential place in Laguna, where the initiation rights took place, was owned by another member of the fraternity.

“Actually po, invited to undergo investigation din po yung naghost o nagbigay ng venue dito sa mga estudyante ng Adamson,” he said.

(We have invited the host of the venue to undergo investigation.)

Jopia also said that they will conduct a forensic examination on the SUV vehicle owned by one of the suspects that was allegedly used to transport the victim’s body.

Investigation showed that Salilig went through the welcoming rites of the Tau Gamma Phi chapter in the university on the afternoon of February 19.

The victim reportedly was no longer in good condition in the middle of the rites. They were already on their way back to Manila when the victim died.

Instead of bringing the victim to the hospital, the suspects allegedly decided to bury him in Cavite. —Richa Noriega/ VAL, GMA Integrated News