6 frat members yield to cops in Biñan as probe continues on hazing death
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY — Six members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity submitted themselves to the Biñan City, Laguna police shortly before midnight on Wednesday, March 1, as investigation continues on the death of John Matthew Salilig allegedly due to hazing.
The Police Region 4A, in a report Thursday, said fraternity members Earl Anthony Romero, Tung Cheng Teng, Jerome Balot, Sandro Victorino, Michael Lambert Ritalde, and Mark Pedrosa voluntarily appeared at the police station around 11 p.m.
“However, in the course of the investigation, complainant/witness, Roi Osmond Tuazon de la Cruz appeared and positively identified all the above-named suspects as principals in the commission of hazing against him and John Matthew Salilig,” the report said.
The six fraternity members were subsequently arrested and are facing criminal charges – two counts of violating Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act for the death of Salilig.
On Feb. 28, the battered and naked body of Salilig, an Adamson University student, was found in a shallow grave in Imus City, Cavite province, days after he attended the “welcoming rites” of Tau Gamma Phi.
Salilig’s body bore signs of severe beating. He was whacked with a paddle at least 70 times, investigators said, quoting witnesses’ statements.
Police said they were preparing to file criminal charges against 17 Tau Gamma members based on witness testimonies, including Salilig’s fellow recruit in the fraternity.
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