Seven members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity have been charged with violating the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018, less than a week after the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) preliminary investigation into the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig.
Two counts of violation of the Anti-Hazing Law will be filed against the seven suspects as probable cause was found in the beating of neophyte Roi Osmond dela Cruz.
Based on the evidence collected when the inquest proceedings were conducted by the DOJ, the suspects recruited Salilig and dela Cruz to join their fraternity.
“Above-named respondents, together with other individuals who remain at large, recruited John Matthew Salilig, Roi Osmond Dela Cruz and two others to join the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity- Adamson University Chapter,” the DOJ stated.
“As a requirement for admission into their fraternity, the above-named respondents and other members of the Tau Gamma Phi-Adamson Chapter then subjected the foregoing recruits to an initiation and welcoming rites last 18 February 2023 at Biñan City, Laguna. Unfortunately, the said rites led to the death of John Matthew Salilig and injuries to Roi Osmond Dela Cruz,” it added.
The suspects to be indicted for violation were:
- Earl Anthony Osita Romero a.k.a. “Slaughter”;
- Tung Cheng Benitez Teng, Jr. a.k.a. “Nike”;
- Jerome Ochoco Balot a.k.a. “Allie”
- Sandro Dasalla Victorino a.k.a. “Loki”;
- Michael Lambert Alcazar Ricalde a.k.a. “Alcazar”
- Mark Muñoz Pedrosa a.k.a. “Macoy”;
- Daniel Delos Reyes Perry a.k.a. “Sting.”
The cases against the seven will be filed in the Regional Trial Court of Manila.
The suspects will remain under the custody of the Biñan Police and may face different charges from the case of the two victims.
“The penalty will differ depending on the amount of harm,” DOJ Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said.
The DOJ urged Adamson University to conduct a Motu Proprio investigation into the incident to trace other suspects involved in the crime.
Meanwhile, Salilig’s brother and dela Cruz filed additional charges against 12 other Tau Gamma Phi members for violating the Anti-Hazing Law.
Another two complainants, Alexander Marcelo and Earl Abuda, also filed complaints to 19 Tau Gamma Phi members for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law. –KC/Reports from Louisa Eripe – gb
