BIÑAN CITY, Laguna – Authorities arrested on Wednesday, March 1, the father of a person of interest in fraternity hazing that allegedly killed 24-year-old student John Matthew Salilig.

Biñan City Police Station (CPS) chief Lt. Col. Virgilio M. Jopia told the Manila Bulletin that they served a search warrant to seize the vehicle reportedly used to bring Salilig’s body to Cavite.

Upon arriving at the suspect’s residence in Parañaque, however, the father of the suspect reportedly tried to stop the police from serving the warrant, which led to his arrest.

“Kailangan namin 'yung ebidensya na 'yun (We need that evidence) but he tried to intervene with our investigation, that is why we arrested him for obstruction of justice,” Jopia said in a phone interview.

“Hindi naman sa kanya 'yung vehicle… Mismong sa suspect, under his name. Nasa pangalan ng anak niya. Ayaw niyang ibigay kasi siya raw ang nagbabayad 'nun. Eh in the eyes of the law, ang may-ari nun, ‘yung anak niya. (The vehicle is not his, it is registered under the name of the suspect. The father did not want to give the vehicle because he says he is paying for it. But in the eyes of the law, the child owns the vehicle).”

Jopia said aside from the arrested father, they currently have six individuals under investigation in relation to the case, three of whom are students of Adamson University.

On Feb. 28, authorities found the body of Salilig in a vacant lot at the back of a subdivision in Barangay Malagasang I-G in Imus, Cavite.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the administration of Adamson University says the university is conducting its own investigation and is already coordinating with authorities on the matter.

Republic Act No. 8049, also known as the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995, penalizes a person or persons who participated in the hazing with reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment if death results there from.