Police arrested six suspects in the hazing death of Adamson University chemical engineering student John Matthew Salilig following a complaint filed by one of the victims on Wednesday evening, March 1, in Biñan City, Laguna.
Biñan City police chief Lt. Col. Virgilio Jopia identified the suspects as Tau Gamma Phi-Adamson chapter members Mark Pedrosa, alias “Macoy,” 29, owner of the house used in the initiation rites in Barangay Casile, Biñan City; Earl Anthony Romero, 21; Teng Cheng Tung, 22; Jerome Balot, 22; Sandro Victorino, 28, and Michael Lambert Ritalde, 31, tattoo artist.
Jopia said that the suspects voluntarily appeared at around 11 p.m. at the Biñan City police station for investigation.
While at the police station, one of the hazing victims, Roi Osmond de la Cruz, 22, a first year Adamson University Political Science student, appeared and positively identified the suspects who committed hazing against him and Salilig.
Senior Master Sergeants Eric Reyes and Melvin de Loan arrested them.
Jopia said police already have the names of the 11 other members of Tau Gamma Phi involved in the hazing but they are all still at large.
He added that suspects were apprised of their constitutional rights and told of the nature of their arrest and subjected to appropriate documentation and disposition.
The Biñan City Police Station is preparing the filing of two counts for violation of Republic Act 8049 (Anti-Hazing Law) as amended by RA 11053 for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila.