The Biñan Police on Thursday presented to Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors the primary persons of interest in the death of John Matthew Salilig, the 24-year-old Adamson University engineering student who was found dead after allegedly undergoing fraternity initiation rites.
Biñan police chief, Lt. Col. Virgilio Jopia, told newsmen at the end of the proceedings that they believe “the evidence is strong” against the six Tau Gamma Phi fraternity members who, along with more than a dozen others, allegedly subjected Salilig to severe injuries in a hazing that led to his death.
Named in the complaint filed by the victim’s brother were Earl Anthony Romero, Tung Cheng Teng, Sandro Victorino, Michael Lambert Ritalde, Jerome Balot and Mark Pedrosa.
The six were originally to undergo inquest proceedings to allow prosecutors to rule whether to charge them immediately before the courts or release them immediately.
The six respondents instead signed a waiver of detention and asked for a preliminary investigation.
Jopia said that because of the signing of the waiver, the respondents will remain in police custody.
The DOJ has set a preliminary investigation hearing on March 10 for the six to answer the allegations against them in a counter-affidavit. With Roy Tomandao
