Police consider case of Adamson student hazing death 'solved'

MANILA (UPDATE) — Police consider the hazing death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig as "solved" following the arrest of some members of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

Criminal complaints have been filed against 6 suspects in the death of the 24-year-old chemical engineering student. The alleged master initiator during the hazing rites also surrendered on Thursday.

"Ito ay klarong-klarong paglabag ng Republic Act 11053 (or Anti-Hazing Act of 2018)," Biñan City acting police chief Lt. Col. Virgilio Jopia told ANC's "Rundown" on Friday.

"Well, we consider this case na solved because of the arrest of the leaders or officers of the fraternity chapter."

(This is a very clear violation of the anti-hazing law. We consider this case already solved.)

• 6 fratmen face hazing raps over death of engineering student

Authorities are still tracking down 10 individuals believed to have knowledge of the alleged hazing death of Salilig. They are considered as persons of interests.

Two of them have sent surrender feelers, Jopia said.

"Nakita natin 'yung usad ng kaso napakabilis dahil 'yung willingness nila to help the investigation is solid kaya we have a very good case para sa insidente na 'to," he added.

(We saw that the progress of the case was really fast because their willingness to help the investigation is solid, that's why we have a very good case for this incident.)

• 10 'persons of interest' tagged in death of Adamson student

HAZING IN SCHOOLS

The house where the initiation rites were supposedly held and the SUV used to transport Salilig are undergoing forensic examination to find additional possible evidence, national police spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said.

"Lumalabas base sa mga statements ng doon sa suspect at mga witnesses ay doon mismo isinakay sa nirekober na SUV na pag-aari ng suspect," she said in a public briefing.

(Based on statements from a suspect and the witnesses, it appears that the victim rode on the recovered SUV that belongs to the suspect.)

The Philippine National Police has recorded 122 incidents related to hazing since 2016, Fajardo said.

The PNP is also schools to allow policemen to give regular lectures on the anti-hazing law.

When asked if the PNP would interfere in schools to prevent future cases of hazing, the police official said they are trying to sustain their police assistance desks nearby schools.

"'Yung ating chief PNP ay nag-utos sa ating field commanders to constantly coordinate sa ating school administrators and there is a need na magre-request sila ng ating police sa ating eskuwelahan ay agad itong tinutugunan ng PNP," she said.

(Our chief PNP instructed field commanders to constantly coordinate with our school administrators and if there is a need for policemen in our schools, the PNP immediately responds.)

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Salilig was reported missing by his brother on Feb. 20. He was found more than a week later buried in a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite.

A witness earlier told police the victim was beaten at least 70 times.

"In the middle of their initiation, napadumi 'yung ating biktima tapos sumunod na nun namutla siya hanggang sa sumuka siya. Nagtuloy-tuloy pa rin 'yung kanilang initiation," Jopia said.

(In the middle of their initiation, the victim soiled himself then turned pale until he vomited. Their initiation continued.)

Jopia said the suspects ruled out bringing the victim to a nearby hospital and had even considered burning the latter's body.

A medico-legal examination revealed Salilig died due to severe blunt force trauma in the lower extremities.

Salilig's remains were flown back to his hometown Zamboanga City. He will be laid to rest on Saturday.