Senators confront Adamson execs, frat member tagged in Salilig hazing death | ABS-CBN

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Senators confront Adamson execs, frat member tagged in Salilig hazing death

Senators confront Adamson execs, frat member tagged in Salilig hazing death

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel and Sherrie Ann Torres,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Mar 07, 2023 10:28 PM PHT

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MANILA -- Several senators on Tuesday confronted the persons tagged in the fatal hazing of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig, a member of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chairperson Sen. Francis Tolentino pointed out the supposed lapses of the university in monitoring fraternities that are not recognized in the campus.

“They could have monitored activities of non-recognized organizations. Tungkulin nila iyon eh," Tolentino said.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also expressed dismay over what he noted as "indecisiveness and inaction" of Adamson University officials in locating students involved in the fatal hazing.

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“You are aware of the initial investigation of the police about the death of the victim and you did not even exert effort to locate the perpetrators of this crime,” Estrada said.

The senators also grilled the fraternity members allegedly present during Salilig's initiation rites.

Sen. Robin Padilla challenged Daniel Perry, the alleged master initiator during the initiation rites, to recite the Triskelion Prayer, which supposedly reflects the fraternity's values.

In reply, Perry said: "Di ko saulado, sir."

"Nakakalungkot, mga anak. Pambihira kayo. Gusto ko pang magtanong pero mababaon kayo. Ayoko na kayo baunin pa pero baon na kayo," Padilla said.

WHAT HAPPENED

Roi dela Cruz, a survivor of the Feb. 18 hazing, narrated what transpired before the death of Salilig.

Dela Cruz said the initiation rites happened in an unfinished house in Barangay Casili in Cavite, where he received around 70 paddle hits.

Salilig and a certain “Lee” also underwent the same treatment, he added.

“Nung initiation po naka-blindfold po ako nung first. Pero tinanong po nila ko kung gusto ko pong tanggalin. So sabi ko, sige po para hindi ako mahilo masyado. During initiation umano na po si Matt (Salilig) na medyo masakit daw po yung tiyan nya... Pero tumuloy pa rin po,” Dela Cruz said.

Their senior fraternity leaders then allowed them to have several hours of rest.

They were later on transported to one of their leaders’ house in Parañaque City.

Salilig, who was already feeling weak while on the road, failed to get out of the vehicle when they reached the place.

“Pagkababa ko po dun na nagsi-seizure si Matt, wala na po siyang malay, sinusundot po nila yung bibig. Nung nawalan na po ng malay, inakyat po nila sa kwarto,” he said.

LAW NOT ENOUGH

During the hearing, the lawmakers said the the Anti-Hazing Law is "not enough" and needs "more teeth."

"Unfortunately, I have to say, the anti-hazing law is not enough. We have to provide it with more teeth to make fraternities, sororities and organizations involved in hazing, more responsible and to make those who had a chance to prevent these deaths liable," Tolentino said.

“But if we will amend the law again, I believe stiffer penalties should be imposed on schools that will fail to implement it, as well as on fraternities, sororities and other organizations that will continue with hazing practices,” Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa said.

Salilig, a chemical engineering student, died last February 18 due to “severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities” after his supposed initiation rites with other members Tau Gamma Phi-Adamson Chapter.

The student's decomposing body was found dumped in a vacant lot along Barangay Malagasang in Imus City, Cavite last week.

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