Complaints have already been filed against the six suspects who were linked to the death of Adamson student John Matthew Salilig.
“Sinampa natin yung kaso na RA 11053 at siyempre in-exercise nila ‘yung rights nila for preliminary investigation. So while waiting for their counter affidavit, under custody natin sila [We filed the case RA 11053 and of course, they exercised their rights for preliminary investigation. So while waiting for their counter affidavit, they are under our custody],” Biñan City Police Chief PLtCol Virgilio Jopia told reporters in an ambush interview.
RA 11053 pertains to the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018.
Jopia said the suspects were given until March 10 to submit their counter-affidavits. In the meantime, they will remain in the custody of the police.
They were positively identified by Roi dela Cruz, a neophyte who was with Salilig during the fraternity rites on Feb. 18.
As of writing, eight more suspects are still at large. Police authorities also arrested the father of one of the suspects who refused to be served with the search warrant.
On Wednesday, Salilig's autopsy report showed that he died due to "severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities." His body was found in a vacant lot in Malagasang, Imus, Cavite on February 28, ten days after he was reported missing by his family.
The autopsy described the body as bloated and in the decomposition stage. It also noted that several hematomas — pools of clotted blood — were seen in Salilig's body, especially on his chest and thighs.
According to Dela Cruz, the 24-year-old student was beaten at least 70 times during the initiation rites of Tau Gamma Phi (Triskelion) fraternity in Biñan, Laguna.
