Police line. Stock Photo
MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is offering a P500,000 reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of individuals responsible for the death of an Adamson University student allegedly due to fraternity hazing.
Romualdez said the reward is meant to encourage people with knowledge of the incident to come forward and help resolve the case.
Adamson University chemical engineering student John Matthew Salilig was found dead in a grassy area of Barangay Malagasang in Imus, Cavite, on Tuesday, February 28, after he was reported missing since February 18.
READ: Missing Adamson University student found dead in Cavite
According to Romualdez, such a death will never be acceptable in a civilized society.
“A loss of life is not acceptable in a civilized society like ours. Brothers do not kill brothers,” he said.
“Frat-related or not, any crime that results in death deserves utmost condemnation,” he added.
Romualdez then assured the public that the House is committed to working with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the people, particularly students like Salilig.
“It is important that we take a proactive step to help our law enforcement agencies bring criminals to justice. Wala silang pagpapahalaga sa buhay. Sa ospital nila dapat dinala ang biktima,” he said.
(It is important that we take a proactive step to help our law enforcement agencies bring criminals to justice. They have no regard for life. They should have brought the victim to a hospital.)
“Kung ako na hindi kamag-anak ng biktima ay hindi matanggap ang ganitong karumal-dumal na krimen, how much more ang kanyang mga magulang at pamilya?” he added.
(If I, a non-relative of the victim, cannot accept this heinous crime, how much more can his parents and family do?)
Imus police case investigator Sgt. Jessie Villanueva told INQUIRER.net on Tuesday that they are looking at fraternity-related violence regarding the death of Salilig, who was said to be attending the initiation rites of brotherhood in Laguna when he went missing.
A total of 12 people were said to be involved in the death of Salilig. Nine of them remain at large, while three are now under the custody of the police.
READ: 9 persons of interest tagged in Adamson frat death still at large, 3 with police
Police said one of the 12 is confirmed as a suspect, while 11 are considered persons of interest.