Adamson University (AdU) issued an official statement to confirm the death of John Matthew Salilig whose body was found on Tuesday, February 28, over a week after his disappearance.Â
The 24-year-old chemical engineering student went missing on February 18 and was last seen wearing his AdU uniform under a red Puma hoodie at the Jac Liner Bus Terminal in Manila.
According to Imus police case investigator Sgt. Jessie Villanueva, Salilig's body was found buried in the back of a subdivision in Barangay Malagasang, Imus, Cavite by the victim's older brother, John Michael Salilig.
The last information about the college student is that he will attend the initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity group in Biñan, Laguna. This makes him a suspected victim of hazing after a witness told the authorities that he received at least 70 hits in violation of Republic Act 11053 or the anti-hazing law.
The autopsy report administered by the Cavite police showed that the AdU student died due to "severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities," which was disclosed on Thursday, March 2.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Batoctoy of Imus Police said that at least 15 persons of interest have been identified in an alleged hazing based on the testimony of the witness.Â
"Ang mensahe lang po doon sa taga-Adamson, mga authorities doon, at mga officers, sana this will come to an end, itong klaseng gawain ng mga ganitong mga fraternities like the Tau Gamma, and hopefully matulungan nila kami because ‘yung anak namin [is] the victim, kami ang biktima dito," Jeoffrey Salilig, the deceased student's father, stated in an interview.
AdU is currently conducting its investigation and working with authorities to bring justice to the demise of one of its students. As a form of respect for the bereaved family, the university also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, and strongly reminded its students to remain vigilant both on and off campus.
From The Candy Bulletin Community
