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MANILA, Philippines — An Adamson University student who had been reported missing since Saturday, February 18, was found dead in Imus, Cavite.
Imus police case investigator Sgt. Jessie Villanueva on Tuesday said that the body of John Matthew Salilig, 24, was found near Barangay Malagasang.
Frat violence?
Citing the initial investigation conducted by the Biñan police, Villanueva said Salilig was attending the initiation rites of a fraternity–Tau Gamma Phi–in Laguna on the day he was reported missing.
“And then, sa hindi malamang dahilan, namatay si victim, tinapon at inilibing dito sa Imus (And then for a still unknown reasons, the victim died, his body dumped and buried here in Imus),” Villanueva told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
Villanueva said the Biñan police had identified at least 15 people from the fraternity who are allegedly involved in Salilig’s disappearance and death.
“Iyong isa sa mga suspek, umamin na dito nila inilibing sa Imus iyong victim (One of the suspects admitted that they buried the victim in Imus),” he added.
Meanwhile, Adamson University earlier confirmed the “untimely passing” of one of its students whose identity it withheld.
The school condoled with the grieving loved ones of the student as it assured the public that it is cooperating with authorities while conducting a separate investigation on the incident.
“Rest assured, we will not allow anything to come amiss,” Adamson said in a statement.
It called on the public “to refrain from sharing unverified information and to help pray for the student’s bereft family during this difficult time.”
‘Be vigilant, mindful’
Adamson also urged its students to remain mindful and vigilant of the activities they take part in whether inside or outside the campus.
Should they feel “unsafe or uncertain,” students may contact the Office for Campus Security and Safety or the Office for Student Affairs, it added.
On Wednesday, February 22, the university’s official student publication–Adamson Chronicle–said Salilig had been reported missing by his relatives to the Manila Police District.
It also cited a Facebook post by Salilig’s brother who said that the victim was last seen at a bus terminal in Makati City.