Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 7) — A neophyte of the Adamson University chapter of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity said its members failed to heed his suggestion to bring John Matthew Salilig to a hospital after he began experiencing seizures.
“Nag-request po ako sa kanila na baka puwedeng dalhin sa ospital, pero nagalit po sila sa akin kasi bawal daw po ‘yun,” Roi dela Cruz said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Tuesday.
[Translation: I requested them to take him to a hospital, but they got mad at me, saying it’s not allowed.]
On the day of the initiation, Dela Cruz said Salilig was already complaining of pain in his stomach, but the hazing still pushed through.
After the hazing rites, Dela Cruz said senior fraternity members brought them to the house of one alias Scotty in Parañaque City to get some rest.
Salilig refused to go inside and stayed in a blue SUV, Dela Cruz said.
After a few minutes, Dela Cruz said he went down to check on Salilig and found him having a seizure. Salilig fell unconscious, as other fraternity members tried to revive him.
“Pagkababa ko, doon na po nagsi-seizure si Matt. Wala na siyang malay. Sinusundot nila ‘yung bibig until noong nawalan ng malay, inakyat nila sa kuwarto,” he narrated.
[Translation: When I got down, Matt was having a seizure. He was unconscious. They were poking his mouth, and when he lost consciousness, they took him up to a room.]
During the hearing, Daniel Perry, the alleged master initiator, said they were divided on whether to bring Salilig to a hospital.
John Salilig, brother of the 24-year-old chemical engineering student, said their last contact with Salilig was on Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. Days later, his body was found in a shallow grave in Brgy. Malagasang in Imus City, Cavite.
Seven suspects are now in police custody, while 10 others remain at large.
READ: TIMELINE: The hazing death of John Matthew Salilig
