Cops gather more evidence at site of fraternity initiation in Salilig case

Authorities gathered more evidence at the residence where the apparent hazing of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig took place.

Two persons of interest pointed out the residential area in Muñoz Compound, Barangay Casili, Biñan, Laguna, according to Emil Sumangil’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

Based on the investigation, the fraternity initiation rites occurred on the second floor of a house that was still under construction.

“Yung taas na 'yun ay unfinished house ng may ari, kaya medyo magulo. Itong compound na ito, isa ito sa mga pinaka-tahimik sa lugar,” barangay captain James Cerda said.

(The second floor is still under construction, so it's a bit messy. This compound is one of the most quiet places in the area.)

Police said they gathered new evidence at the site.

“Yung narekober sa bahay, may initial samples collected for DNA analysis: alleged stain, at cigarette butt...Additional evidence po na nagpapatunay na kung mag-positive doon sa DNA analysis, o galing 'yan sa victim natin o suspek, malalaman natin,” Silvio said.

(The evidence recovered from the house includes initial samples collected for DNA analysis: alleged stain, cigarette butt...It's additional evidence that will prove that if the DNA analysis is positive, or if it came from our victim or suspect, we will know.)

A source confirmed to GMA Integrated News that the house is owned by the father of one of the six persons of interest being questioned by the Biñan police.

The father, a barangay kagawad, said he did not know about the incident and vowed to cooperate with the authorities.

“Nasa barangay po ako, naka duty ako. Hindi ko alam, after four days doon ko lang nalaman,” he said.

(I was in the barangay at that time, I was on duty. I didn't know, I only found out after four days.)

Loud music

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

One of the persons of interest said that the fraternity members played loud music that night to drown out the sounds.

The victim reportedly was no longer in good condition by the middle of the rites.

“Ang initiation rites is 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., pero umalis sila sa bahay around 7 p.m. na. So nung kinarga po yata, medyo iba na ang hitsura ng victim,” Laguna Police director Police Colonel Randy Glenn Silvio said.

(The initiation rites took place at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., but they left the house at around 7 p.m. already. So when they carried out the victim, he was already looking different.)

Salilig was later found in a shallow grave in Cavite.

John Michael Salilig, the victim's brother, appealed to those who witnessed the incident to come forward.

“Andoon po 'yung gigil, andoon po 'yung galit, andoon 'yung eagerness na andiyan 'yung mga residente, magkakadikit lang. In spite of it, matagal namin makakuha ng mga leads. Walang po yatang gustong magsalita, 'yun po 'yung question namin in mind na bakit po ganoon,” he said.

(The anger is there, the eagerness is there because the residents were there, close by. In spite of this, it took us a while to get leads. It seems that no one wants to talk, that's the question in our minds: why is that?)

A fraternity neophyte identified the persons involved in the hazing. Six of them underwent inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice Thursday. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News