Frat member admits to being one of those who buried Salilig
Published Mar 7, 2023 07:26 am
A leader of the Tau Gamma Phi-Adamson University Chapter admitted on Tuesday, March 7, to be one of those who buried fraternity member, John Matthew Salilig, after a fatal initiation rites in Barangay Malagasang, Imus, Cavite last February 19.
During a hybrid public hearing by the Senate justice and human rights committee chaired by Senator Francis ‘Tol’’ Tolentino, Daniel Perry, 23, admitted that he was one of the fraternity members who took turns in using a spade for the burial site.
Tolentino, however, did not allow Perry to detail the burial incident because the information is already part of the investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
But the senator offered Perry and the six other suspects present during the hearing the services of Senate lawyers after reminding them of their rights against self-incrimination since their statements could be used in a court of law.
Tolentino noted that even the Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) refused to represent them.
However, Perry and the others rejected the offer. Of the seven suspects in the case, four are Adamson University students.
According to the PNP, there are 10 suspects still at large. The 11th suspect, identified as Sacmal, reportedly committed suicide.
The fatal hazing took place at a house in Biñan, Laguna. There were other neophytes who went through the initiation rite.
Perry admitted to being a master initiator of the fraternity three times but had to lie low because he would soon be graduating. Since no one was available, he agreed to be the master initiator of another initiation rite which turned out to be fatal for Salilig, a chemical engineering student.
He said Salilig was in good health and even helped him at the bathroom because he was having loose bowel movement (LBM). He said he was no longer at the initiation site when Salilig had a seizure.
When asked by Sen. Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa why Salilig was not brought to a hospital, Perry said he and others suggested bringing Salilig to a hospital but there was a split decision.
Perry also admitted that what they did was wrong and also admitted that they did not inform the university of the plan of the fraternity to hold initiation rites.
Under the Anti-Hazing law, the school has to send a representative to initiation rites.
Roi dela Cruz, another Adamson University student, said Salilig told him that the was having LBM but the hazing went on.
Salilig reportedly received 70 beatings with a piece of wood.
From Binan, Laguna, the fraternity members went to Parañaque where Salilig showed he was weakening.
Dela Cruz, alias Bones and alias Tag, was reportedly upbraided by fraternity members when he suggested that Salilig be brought to a hospital.
He said this was the last time that he saw Salilig after the fraternity members allowed him to leave after seeking the help of his girlfriend.