Frat members rejected suggestion to bring Salilig to hospital —witness

Tau Gamma Phi members declined to bring Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig to the hospital after he suffered from seizure during the hazing rites, a witness told a Senate panel Tuesday.

Roi Osmond Dela Cruz, a neophyte who underwent hazing with Salilig and two other Tau Gamma members, made this testimony during the investigation of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

According to Dela Cruz, after their hazing on February 18 in Biñan, Laguna, they were brought to the house of one alias Scotty in Parañaque City to rest.

When they arrived at Scotty’s house, Dela Cruz said he and two other Tau Gamma members who underwent welcoming rites were told to go inside the house. Salilig, however, stayed inside the vehicle, a blue Ford Everest.

Dela Cruz said he wanted to go to the vehicle where Salilig was staying because he wanted to get some air after his ordeal. He said it was then he saw Salilig being revived.

"Pagkababa ko po, dun na po nagsi-seizure si Matt. Wala na po siyang malay, sinusundot nila 'yung bibig until nung nawalan ng malay, inakyat nila sa kuwarto," Dela Cruz said.

"During po nu’ng nagse-seizure s'ya sa baba, nag-request po ako sa kanila na baka puwede dalhin sa ospital. Nagalit po sila sa akin, 'yung Bonez at tsaka 'yung Thugz, kasi bawal daw po yon," Dela Cruz added.

(When Matt was having a seizure, I requested them to bring him to a hospital, but Bonez and Thugz got angry at me. They said that is now allowed.)

According to Biñan Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Jopia, "Bonez" and "Thugz" are among the suspects who are still at large.

Seven suspects who were involved in Salilig's death were present at the Senate hearing, including 23-year-old Daniel Perry, who allegedly buried Salilig and was the master initiator during the hazing procedure.

On February 28, the body of Salilig, a chemical engineering student, was found in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite, more than a week after he was last seen alive.

His death once again put to light the practice of hazing among fraternities which, under the law, is prohibited in all forms. —KBK, GMA Integrated News