Hazing complaints filed against 6 linked to Salilig death

Biñan City police have filed complaints for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law against six individuals linked to the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Jopia, acting chief of police of Philippine National Police-Biñan, said one complainant is Salilig’s brother, John Michael, and the other is Roi dela Cruz, the neophyte who identified the suspects.

“Sinampa natin yung kaso at siyempre in-exercise nila ‘yung rights nila for preliminary investigation. So while waiting for their counteraffidavit, under custody natin sila,” Jopia said in an ambush interview following inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice.

(We filed the complaint and they exercised their right to a preliminary investigation. So while waiting for their counter-affidavit, they are still under our custody.)

Jopia said the suspects are given until March 10 to submit their counter-affidavits.

Meanwhile, Jopia said one of the six submitted their extrajudicial confession.

"Isa lang sa anim ang nagbigay ng extrajudicial confession. Siya 'yung unang nag-report sa atin sa Manila Police District at siya rin yung willing na nagsabi ng lahat ng participants doon sa initiation rites," said Police Colonel Randy Silvio, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region, in a joint 24 Oras report by Saleema Refran and Mariz Umali.

(Only one of the six gave an extrajudicial confession. He was the first one to report to us and he is also the one willing to identify the partipants at the initiation rites.)

"It is still the determination and then approval of the court regarding kung magiging [if he will be made a] state witness," Jopia said.

The six suspects opted to not give their comments to the media following the inquest.

The body of the 24-year-old Salilig was found in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite on Tuesday, more than a week after he was last seen alive.

Silvio said a complaint for obstruction of justice was also filed against the father of one of the persons of interest in the case.

“Nag re-request po yung counsel nila na bilisan para makapag bail kasi meron pong karamdaman din yung suspect natin, parang high-blood siya, para makalabas na po at ma-attendan din 'yung kaso ng anak niya,” Silvio said.

“At nag signify din po siya na pag labas niya eh balak niya isuko yung anak niya... yung may ari nung Ford Everest,” he added.

(Their counsel asked for speedy proceedings to they could post bail because the father was not feeling well, probably high blood pressure, and so he could go and attend the proceedings against his child.

(And he signified when he came out that he intends to surrender his son...the owner of the Ford Everest.)

According to Silvio, some of the suspects were crying during the inquest proceedings.

“Kanina po, nakita natin na may mga umiiyak doon during the inquest proceeding eh. Kaya makikita mo yung pagsisisi rin nila. At sa tingin ko baka during the trial, baka magbago rin ang isip nila at makipag-cooperate rin,” he said.

(We saw some of them crying during the inquest proceedings, so you see there was some regret and self-recrimination there. Maybe during the trial some of them might change their mind and cooperate.)

LOOK: Isa sa mga umanoy naglibing sa hazing victim na si John Matthew Salilig, sumuko kay Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla ngayong hapon. | via @luisitosantos03 @dzbb pic.twitter.com/K25ESiUzdy

( Cavite PPO)

— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) March 2, 2023

When asked if they will request an immigration lookout bulletin, Jopia said they may request it for the six individuals they filed complaints against.

He said there are around 10 persons of interest still at large.

Earlier, one of the individuals who allegedly buried Salilig surrendered to authorities.

Jopia said this was designated as the master initiator.

“Kanina merong sumuko sa Cavite, sa ating provincial director ng Cavite at ito ay sinundo na ng Biñan investigation team at ito ay dadalhin na doon sa ating himpilan upang mag undergo sa investigation,” he said.

“Siya 'yung designated master initiator,” Jopia later added.

(Someone gave himself up to our provincial director in Cavite and he was picked up by the Biñan investigation team, and he will be brought to our office for the investigation.) —NB/BM, GMA Integrated News