Biñan police: Salilig received more blows than other frat neophytes

Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig, who died after going through a fraternity "welcoming rite" and whose corpse was found in a shallow grave in Cavite, had received more blows than his companion neophytes because the hazing suspects had paid particular attention to him.

"Sinabi sa [dalawang neophyte na kasama ni Salilig] habang nagpapaluan doon na, 'Huwag niyo gagayahin ito ha, si Mat, dahil nga maarte kaya napadami nang napadami palo niya,'" said Biñan Police Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Jopia in Oscar Oida's Monday 24 Oras report.

(According to two of Salilig's fellow neophytes, they were told not to be like Mat because he was being overly dramatic. That's why they struck him more often.)

"Siguro, dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman, umiinda na yung ating biktima. Eh siguro, ang perception ng ating mga suspect eh maarte dahil welcome rites na nga lang ito," added Jopia.

(Maybe he was flinching from the pain. The suspects might have assumed that he was just pretending because this was just a welcoming rite.)

One of the neophytes also said that they brought him along to where they buried Salilig's body and that was why he could identify the suspects who buried Salilig.

But, even as they headed to Cavite to pick up some shovels at a suspect's home, the neophyte-witness said they had pulled over and stole license plates from random parked cars to disguise the vehicles they were using.

"Nakipag-coordinate na tayo ngayon sa Las Piñas City police at saka sa Parañaque City police na i-verify yung mga nawawalan ng plaka," said Jopia.

(We're working with the Las Piñas City police and the Parañaque City police to verify the stolen plates.)

The neophyte-witness also kept the blood-stained shorts he was wearing during the fraternity rite.

"Alam niya malaki ang kaso na ito kaya itinago niya yung short mismo na ginamit niya kung saan kita nga natin doon talagang maraming dugo, kalat yung dugo nila," said Jopia.

(He knew this was a major crime, that's why he kept the shorts on which you can see a lot of blood splatter.)

The Biñan police chief added that three of the neophytes that survived the alleged hazing were under police protection, while seven suspects were in custody.

Meanwhile, ten other suspects were still at large.

"Kahit naman 'di sila lumutang, dahil sa weight ng kaso natin, later on, mai-issuehan naman sila ng warrant of arrest. 'Di sila makakapagtago sa batas," said Jopia.

(Even if they don't give themselves up, given the seriousness of the crime, there'll be arrest warrants issued later. They can't hide from the law.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News