President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has assured the family of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig that justice will be served following his untimely death last month, apparently a victim of fraternity hazing. Marcos said this following the arrest of at least 17 suspects behind the death of the 24-year-old student whose body was found in Imus, Cavite on Feb. 28, after one of the suspects disclosed the location. In a statement, the President extended his condolences to Salilig's bereaved family. "I extend my sympathies to John Matthew Salilig's family during this extremely difficult time and assure them that justice will be served," he said Wednesday evening, March 1. "John was a child, a brother, a friend, a classmate, and a son of this nation, with a bright future ahead of him," he added.

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— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) March 1, 2023

Salilig was reported to have died after undergoing hazing at initiation rites last month. He was reported missing on Feb. 18. In his statement, President Marcos stressed that brotherhood could not be measured by violence, nor should violence be part of student organizations. "It is not through violence that we can measure the strength of our brotherhood," he said. "There should be no room for violence in our student organizations which our children consider family, and in our schools which they consider their second home," he added. On Tuesday, Adamson University confirmed the death of the missing student and said that it had conducted its own investigation and was in coordination with the authorities. It assured the public that the University was a safe space. "Adamson University has always been a familiar space for all of its students, teachers, personnel, alumni, friends, and visitors," its statement read. "This is your safe place along San Marcelino. We will ensure that it remains that way," it added.