House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe has joined the angry chorus of Filipinos condemning the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig, who reportedly died as a result of fraternity hazing.

At the same time, Dalipe expressed a desire to strengthen the existing Anti-Hazing Law so that similar incidents could be prevented in the future.

"I join the nation in condemning the senseless death of a fellow Zamboangueño John Matthew Salilig," Dalipe said in a statement Thursday, March 2.

"John Matthew’s bright and promising future as a chemical engineer was snuffed out by the undeterred practice of hazing by our fraternities despite the harsh punishments provided under Republic Act (RA) No.11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law," the legislator said.

"For this, I would support any review of the law which may prompt amendatory legislation to further strengthen the Anti-Hazing Law," said the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwart.

"I also appeal to our school authorities to be more vigilant in ensuring that fraternity hazing will have no room in their school system and ensure that all their students are protected from any and all forms of violence," he added.