Suspect in Adamson student's death says sorry, vows to tell all

One of the suspects involved in the death of John Matthew Salilig expressed remorse over the incident and vowed to cooperate with authorities.

The suspect apologized for the incident, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

“Sorry po talaga sa lahat ng nangyari and handa po akong tumulong, tutulong po ako sa lahat ng bagay at lahat po ng nalalaman ko, sasabihin ko po talaga,” Jerome Balot, one of the persons of interest allegedly involved in the hazing of the Adamson University student said in a report by John Consulta on "24 Oras."

(I'm really sorry for everything that happened and I'm ready to help, I will cooperate and help with everything. I will tell you everything.)

Fraternity neophyte Roi dela Cruz on Wednesday identified some of the persons of interest allegedly involved in the hazing of Salilig.

Among the arrested suspects was the leader of the Tau Gamma Phi - Adamson University chapter, Tung Cheng Teng Jr.

The other arrested suspects were Sandro Victorino, Michael Lambert Rivaled, Mark Pedrosa, and Earl Anthony Romero.

Dela Cruz said he and Salilig — whose body was found in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite, a week after he was last seen alive — underwent initiation and welcome rites, respectively, together in Biñan, Laguna.

“Ang sabi sa 'kin, since we have anti-hazing law ngayon sa batas natin ang ibibigay na lang 12 to 24 [blows to the body]. Marami na yung 24,” he said.

(They told us that since we have an anti-hazing law now, in our law, only 12 to 24 blows to the body will be given. Twenty four is a lot.)

However, he said they received 70 blows to the body with candle wax drippings.

“Pinatakan nila ako ng candle sa likod. Inukit nila yung logo ng fraternity sa likod ko. And the belt whipping is tinanggal nila yung mga pinatak na candle sa likod ko gamit yung belt, pinapalo nila ako,” he said.

(Apart from the blows, there were candle wax drippings at my back. They carved the fraternity logo on my back. And the belt whipping is they removed the candle wax from my back with the belt, they beat me.)

While he was undergoing initiation rights, Dela Cruz said he heard someone asking Salilig if he was okay at that time.

“Someone ask him na ‘ano okay ka lang?’ Sabi niya, ‘okay lang ako,’” he said.

(Someone asked him, “Are you okay?” He said, “I'm okay.”)

Based on the autopsy report, the victim’s cause of death was due to severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.

Six suspects are now under the custody of the police. However, they are still looking for 10 others.

Police said there are 16 considered as persons of interest.

Meanwhile, Cavite Provincial Police Office (PPO) said 23-year-old suspect Daniel Perry, who allegedly buried victim and master initiator, surrendered before Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla at around 1:30 p.m.

“Isa po siya sa kasama ng biktima from Metro Manila hanggang makarating po sa Biñan. During the time ng hazing, isa rin po siya sa pumalo doon sa biktima. At ayon sa aming pagkakaalam siya yung naging master initiator during that time,” Cavite Provincial Police director Police Colonel Christopher Olazo said.

(He was one of the victim's companions from Metro Manila until he arrived in Biñan. During the time of the hazing, he was also one of those who hit the victim. And according to the information, he was the master initiator during that time.)

“Isa po siya sa tumitingin kung paano isasagawa yung sinasabing initiation rites. Isa po siya sa kasama ng biktima hanggang sa mawalan ito ng buhay. At isa rin po siya sa naghukay sa pinaglibingan,” he said.

(He was one of those looking at how the so-called initiation rights will be implemented. He was one of the victim's companions until he lost his life. And he was also one of those who buried the victim.)

“Sabi niya meron na raw pong nagsabi sa grupo nila na ilibing na lang. Ayaw naman po niya sa umpisa na tumutol dahil baka siya po ang mapag-initan kaya along the way nakipagparticipate po siya,” Olazo said.

(He said someone told their group to bury the victim. He didn't want to object because he was afraid, so along the way he participated.)

Investigation showed that Salilig went through the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi chapter 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/LDF, GMA Integrated News