Police identified the victim as John Matthew Salilig, a chemical engineering student.
Salilig left home on February 17 to attend a fraternity rights of Tau Gamma Phi.
He was last seen alive along with several members of the fraternity in Biñan City, Laguna, where the alleged initiation rights took place.
On Tuesday, February 28, Salilig’s body was found buried in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite through the help of several suspects who they invited for investigation.
“Habang nagaganap ang initiation rites, nagkaroon na ng senyales ng paghihirap ang biktima dahil bandang alas-tres ng hapon ay according to the witness sumuka ‘yung ating biktima,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Jopia, acting chief of police of Biñan, Laguna police, said in a television interview.
(While the initiation rites were taking place, the victim showed signs of suffering because around 3 in the afternoon, according to the witness, the victim vomited.)
“Along the way, pabalik ng Maynila, ito ay binawian na ng buhay,” he added.
(Along the way, while going back to Manila, he passed away.)
Jopia said Salilig’s body bore injuries, which showed signs of hazing, but they are still waiting for the result of the autopsy report for confirmation.
Police are looking into 15 persons of interest in the hazing case.
“Mayroon tayong nasampahan na kaso ng una, ‘yung obstruction of justice. Kasama din po ito doon sa ginawang initiation rites. Tapos nandito sa ating himpilan yung pito na sumasailalim sa investigation,” Jopia said.
(We have a first case filed, which is obstruction of justice. It is also included in the initiation rites. Seven of those who are under investigation are at our station.) (SunStar Philippines)