The remains of 24-year-old hazing victim John Matthew Salilig arrived on Thursday, March 2, in his hometown Zamboanga City.
Salilig, a 3rd year engineering student of Adamson University died while undergoing Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity hazing in Biñan, Laguna on February 18, 2023.
Dalilig’s family and Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe and Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja met the remains of Salilig at the Edwin Andrews Air Force base. A Philippine Air Force C130 plane transported his remains.
The remains of Salilig were brought to Chapel E La Merced Memorial Homes along Gov. Alvarez avenue where it will lie in state together with the remains of his grandfather, who passed away on February 22, 2023.
Dalipe vowed to work with authorities, fraternity, and sorority organizations in the city to eliminate hazing and to safeguard the lives and well-being of students, as he condemned the brutal murder of Zamboangueño Salilig allegedly perpetrated by his brothers in the Tau Gamma Phi – Adamson University Chapter.
“The brutality inflicted on John Matthew by the fraternity members, and their callous disregard of his dignity in life and in his death is a shocking display of violence and impunity that runs contrary to the tenets of brotherhood and contrary to our humanity,” Dalipe said.
Dalipe reminded fraternity and sorority organizations that acts of hazing are prohibited and are defined as a criminal act under the Anti-Hazing Law of the Philippines.
Dalipe also expressed sympathies to the Salilig family in this difficult time, adding that he is one with the family and the entire city in “demanding accountability from the perpetrators of this heinous crime and justice for John Matthew.”
Salilig, who was a chemical engineering student, allegedly died from “physical trauma” from hazing rites conducted by members of the Adamson University chapter of the Tau Gamma Phi Grand Fraternity, according to police. He was 24 years old.
Salilig’s father Joeffry Salilig said that they are seeking justice for the death of his son. “My son was still young, and he has so many ambitions in life. He was taken from us so early,” Joeffry said.
Joeffry added that may the death of his son serve as a lesson to the youth who join a fraternity.
In a statement, the Tau Gamma Phi National Council said the they will let the wheel of justice takes its course.
“May all Triskelions strictly adhere to the laws of the land as responsible members of the community and as a fraternity in particular.
“We will ensure that those who will be found responsible will be dealt with accordingly, The Tau Gamma Phi renounces any form of violence and brutality as one of the guiding precepts of our actions. Let us be reminded that we are a fraternity of responsible and God-fearing men who believe in “the power of reason, and not in the use of force as a reason”
