Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) — Police on Friday said one of the six suspects arrested and charged for the hazing death of student John Matthew Salilig owns the house where the fraternity initiation rites took place.
“He was one of the arrested person dito sa ating kaso,” Biñan chief of police Virgilio Macedonia Jopia told CNN Philippines’ The Source. “Kasama po sya doon sa na-inquest, ‘yung owner.”
[Translation: He was one of the arrested persons here in our case. He was one of those who underwent inquest proceedings, the owner.]
Jopia, however, did not identify who among the six suspects owned the house located in Brgy. Casile in Binan City. All suspects, who were charged on Thursday, are members of the Tau Gamma Phi (Triskilion) fraternity.
The Philippine National Police in Calabarzon said charges for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 were filed against Tung Cheng Teng, 22; Earl Anthony Romero, 21; Jerome Balot, 22; Sandro Victorino, 28; Michael Lambert Ritalde, 31; and Mark Pedrosa, 39; for the death of Salilig and the hazing injuries suffered by the other recruits.
According to the anti-hazing law, “the owner or lessee of the place where hazing is conducted shall be liable as principal.”
For failure to report the hazing incident despite having knowledge about it, the house’s owner can be penalized with a fine of ₱2 million or ₱3 million, as well as jail time of up to 40 years (reclusion perpetua).
Meanwhile, Jopia also said that the police have 10 persons of interest, including two other victims.
The PNP already identified Lalan Hernandez, Christian Cruz, Earl Miguel Queaño Ursolino, Daniel Perry, Ralph Tan, Ryan Ray Camangyan, Carlos Miguel Rovillos, Aron James Cruz, Lester John De Lara Sus, and Arjay Bryle Arao as suspects who remain at-large.
Jopia urged the other victims to coordinate with the police to prevent facing charges related to Salilig’s death.
Based on evidence authorities have gathered so far, Jopia said the \”severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities” authorities declared as Salilig’s cause of death was due to hazing.
He noted that a paddle was used on the victim, citing a survivor’s statement.
