Adamson student found dead after fraternity ‘rites’
MANILA, Philippines — A chemical engineering student of Adamson University has died allegedly due to fraternity hazing, his battered body found dumped on an open field in Imus, Cavite province.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the school administration confirmed the student’s death, saying he had been missing since Feb. 18.
“The management encourages all Adamsonians to be mindful and vigilant of their activities whether inside or outside the campus,” the Manila-based university said, adding it would conduct its own probe of the incident.
Based on initial police findings, the victim, John Matthew Salilig, was last seen with members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in Biñan City, Laguna province.
A TV Patrol report quoted Lt. Col. Virgilio Jopia of the Biñan police as saying that up to “18 suspects” might have been involved and that the vehicle they used had been identified based on security camera videos obtained.
One of the victim’s brothers said Salilig, before the student went missing, told him he would attend the fraternity’s “welcoming rites” on Feb. 17.
The brother, who is also a Tau Gamma Phi member, told ABS-CBN News that he did not stop his sibling because he knew “nothing will happen” and that Salilig would insist on going anyway “for brotherhood.”
The Salilig family sought help from the Biñan police when the student could no longer be contacted on Sunday.
Authorities have gotten hold of one of the suspects, who said the victim had received at least 70 blows during the initiation rites, and that one of the frat brothers gave the instruction to “dispose” of the body.
