Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 1) — Lawmakers have condemned the suspected hazing death of a college student, and urged authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri was among those who expressed dismay over what happened to John Matthew Salilig, whose death was confirmed by Adamson University on Tuesday.
\”I urgently call on our law enforcement to immediately hunt down and arrest the suspects behind the death of John Matthew Salilig, and ensure that they are dealt with using the full force of our Anti-Hazing Law,\” Zubiri said in a statement on Wednesday.
Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the 24-year-old chemical engineering student’s death.
The Laguna Provincial Police Office said the victim attended the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi (Triskilion) fraternity in Biñan on Feb. 18, the day he went missing.
Zubiri called out the \”barbarian perpetrators\” responsible for the act, and said they \”should all rot in jail for the rest of their lives.\”
“The culture of secrecy in the guise of fraternal ‘brotherhood’ is abhorrent, and each and every single person involved — from those who planned, those who participated, even those who were just present but did nothing to stop the hazing — should be thrown in jail as well,” Zubiri said.
\”Under our law they are all responsible,\” he added.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez offered a reward of ₱500,000 for anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest of those involved in the hazing incident.
“It is important that we take a proactive step to help our law enforcement agencies bring criminals to justice,” Romualdez said.
He added that the reward is to encourage individuals to coordinate with the authorities in investigating the hazing incident.
Romualdez also condemned the gruesome killing, stressing “a loss of life is not acceptable in a civilized society like ours.”
Sen. Risa Hontiveros shared the same sentiment “in the strongest terms,” adding that the full extent of the law should be enforced against all responsible, including those who had knowledge of the incident.
“Dapat panagutin silang mga walang awang pumatay kay John Matthew at nagbaon sa kanyang bangkay pagkatapos ang napabalitang initiation rites,” she said.
[Translation: Those responsible for the cruel death of John Matthew and for burying his body after the reported initiation rites should be held responsible.]
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also urged authorities to “round up all those involved and privy to the case and hold them accountable to the law.”
A report from the Cavite Provincial Police Office said a body was found in the morning of Feb. 28 buried in a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite. The body was identified as Salilig’s by his brother.
Police said there are 15 suspects in the college student’s death.
Sen. Joel Villanueva also denounced the incident, describing it as disheartening since he’s also a fraternity member.
“Nakakapanlumo po bilang miyembro ng Tau Gamma Phi dahil hindi po ito parte ng paniniwala at ipinaglalaban ng fraternity,” he stressed.
“Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kapatid sa Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, sa pamunuan ng Adamson University at mga awtoridad na siguruhing mapapanagot sa batas at mabibigyan ng katarungan sa ilalim ng Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 ang mga sangkot dito,” Villanueva added.
[Translation: As a member of Tau Gamma Phi, this is upsetting because this is not part of the belief and mission of the fraternity. I call on the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, the Adamson University administration, and the authorities to punish those responsible under the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.]
Sen. Nancy Binay expressed dismay over schools, administrations and law enforcements as they “fail to seriously check and monitor organizations” that continue to practice the traditional initiation rites.
“Until now — kahit meron ng RA 11053 — naririyan pa rin ang vicious cycle of physical abuse, at ibang forms of abuse — tapos ngayon, gusto uli nating ibalik ang ROTC na kilala sa ganyang practices,” Binay said.
[Translation: Until now — although there is RA 11053 — there is still a vicious cycle of physical abuse, and other forms of abuse — then now we want to revive the ROTC that is known for those kinds of practices.]
Sen. Win Gatchalian said it was important to stay vigilant until the case is resolved.
\”While the Adamson University has initiated its investigation and the Tau Gamma Phi’s Triskelion Council of Imus City has vowed openness to collaborate with the bereaved family, it is crucial that we stay vigilant until justice is served and those involved are held fully accountable,\” Gatchalian said.
Sen. Ronald \”Bato\” Dela Rosa, meanwhile, said school fraternities should keep an eye on their ranks.
