ZAMBOANGA — The family and friends of John Matthew Salilig gathered at the Forest Lake Memorial Garden in Tumaga, Zamboanga City on Sunday to commemorate the first year of his passing. 

John Matthew was the Chemical Engineering student who died after attending the welcoming rites of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity Adamson Chapter exactly one year ago in Binan, Laguna.

Neophytes Roi Osmond Dela Cruz and Earl Justin Bernal went personally to Matt’s hometown to pay their respects. They were with John Matthew when the initiation rites happened.

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Matt’s father, Joeffrey, said the family is moving on.

“So far, with regards to the family, the family is okay naman. And we are so very happy na of course, with our prayers lahat ng mga nakiramay sa amin and with support. Sa case naman it’s progressing, the family is so happy with the progress of the case,” said Joeffrey. 

“With regards naman kay Matt, siyempre happy tayo na alam ko happy siya with regards to this, itong mga nangyari na may development naman talaga,” he added. 

After a year of court battles, Joeffrey hopes that justice will be served.

“We are looking forward, early, hopefully we are really praying na mabigyan ng wisdom ang ating itong justice natin, justise system na matatapos na itong year. We are really hoping and praying for that,” he said.

“And siyempre the family on the other hand is recovering from what really happened itong tragic death about Matt, we accepted naman namin na anong nangyari and we are moving forward. Move on naman talaga ang family,” he said. 

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He appeals to other suspects who are still in hiding to surrender.

“Doon sa mga at-large, appeal ko lang para 'di na mabigat pa sa part nila. So I believe they better surrender at i-give na nila yung sarili nila, kaysa magtago sila or nandiyan sila sa k'wan. 'Di rin maganda yun eh. I’m praying that God will give them the wisdom to mag surrendender na talaga sila dito sa ating authorities,” he said.

Joeffrey added that they have forgiven them for what they have done and they understand what might have happened that day.

"Yung forgiveness nasa amin iyan, okay lang yun yung forgiveness, siyempre maybe nadala lang sila nung time na ['yun], but they did not have the intention to kill or whatever to Matt," he said. 

"I believe meron lang talaga nag udyok sa kanila. And it’s a matter of time heals, darating din ang panahon na they will be all forgiven. With regards to the parents, wala naman kasalanan yung mga parents. And siyempre kahit na nagkikita kami dun sa court we smile and on the family we have no hatred or anger against them," he added.

“Siyempre mahirap talaga tanggapin na biglang naglaho o nawala yung anak natin and it was really in the first place very hard to accept na wala na si Matt. But by the grace of God little by little we were able to understand and we were blessed by God na siyempre justice yung [korte] na ang maghusga kung ano ang karapat dapat sa mga accused natin,” he said. 

John Michael Salilig, Matt's eldest brother and also a member of the same fraternity, recalls what happened a year ago. He states that somehow he feels guilty for not doing anything to prevent Matt from attending the initiation rites.

“I really feel him during mga times na may ginagawa ako on the case, looking out for answers. I feel na he is there for me, he is guiding me,” John Michael said. 

“Nag recall back yung time na kagabi na napagusapan namin ito yung time na magkasama nandito kami sa sasakyan, so yun. Andun pa rin, kahit naman little by little nandun na sa stage na we’re moving forward po.”

“Kumbaga sa akin, andun po ako sa halfway sa regret na sana napigilan ko or I made way na hindi po sana siya matuloy. Pero yun nga po it’s really unexpected kung ano po mangyayari not knowing na ganun po pagdadaanan niya.” he said. 

The next hearing on the case will be on April 17, 2024, at Binan Regional Trial Court Branch 155.

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