Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 1) — Police have served a search warrant on the vehicle of one of the suspects in the alleged hazing that killed a 24-year-old chemical engineering student of Adamson University.
According to Biñan, Laguna Chief of Police Lt.Col. Virgilio Jopia, the warrant was presented to Gregorio Cruz, the owner of the vehicle that carried John Matthew Salilig to a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite, where the chemical engineering student was buried.
“Nag-serve na kami ng search warrant sa bahay ng isa sa mga suspek para kunin yung sasakyan na pinagsakyan ng victim, at yung paddle na ginamit,”Jopia said.
[Translation: We served a search warrant at the house of one of the suspects to retrieve the car that carried the victim.]
Jopia said a witness’ statement led them to the vehicle, which was used to carry the victim to Imus from Binan, Laguna following the initiation rites.
The vehicle was also where the victim passed away, he added.
According to the Laguna police, they have identified 18 persons of interest.
Police said six of these individuals have been invited for investigation, while two have been arrested for obstruction of justice.
Among those arrested was the father of one of the suspects, and another who was present during the initiation rites.
“They interfered with the investigation and they tried to conceal the evidence na find out natin sa ating investigation kaya inaresto sila for obstruction of justice,” police said.
[Translation: They interfered with the investigation and they tried to conceal the evidence that we found in our investigation. We arrested them for obstruction of justice.]
Jopia said they are now awaiting the results of the autopsy on the victim’s body conducted Tuesday night.
Authorities said it is likely that Salilig succumbed to his injuries.
The victim, who was almost unrecognizable, was positively identified by his brother, they added.
Police revealed that the person who led authorities to the discovery of the body was a member in the fraternity.
“Yung isa doon pinaka-presidente nila. Siya yung nagturo kasi kasama siya sa naglibing sa Imus, Cavite kaya natin natagpuan,” Jopia revealed.
[Translation: One of them is the president. He was the one who led us to the grave because he was among those who buried the victim in Imus, Cavite that’s why we found it.]
Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own investigation into the alleged hazing death of Salilig.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the agency condemns any violation of the Anti-Hazing law.
“However, we will await any case that will be filed before our prosecutors,” he said. “Rest assured, any forthcoming case will undergo diligent evaluation.”
Clavano stressed that if there’s probable cause “with reasonable certainty of conviction,” – a new standard in filing cases in court – they will prosecute the case until “the perpetrators of this crime are finally brought to justice.”
A witness told authorities that Salilig was beaten at least 70 times during the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in Biñan.
His body was found on Tuesday, Feb. 28, over a week after he was reported missing.
Adamson University said it is conducting its own probe into the incident and has been cooperating with the authorities on the matter.
RELATED: Adamson confirms death of missing student
Meanwhile, Tau Gamma Phi expressed grief at the passing of Salilig and vowed to “ënsure that those who will be found responsible will be dealt with accordingly.”
“Let the wheels of justice take its due course,” it said in a statement. “May all Triskelions strictly adhere to laws of the land as responsible members of the community and as a fraternity in particular.”
CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario and digital producer Mariel Celine Serquiña contributed to this story.
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