Upper Chamber lawmakers expressed their outrage on Wednesday over the death of John Matthew Salilig, an Adamson University student whose remains were discovered in Imus town, Cavite province.
According to the police investigation, Salilig was attending the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity's initiation rites in Laguna province on Feb. 18 when he went missing.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa urged the fraternity and the school administration to take additional hazing prevention measures.
Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, also urged fraternity seniors to educate their younger brothers in order to prevent hazing incidents.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian condemned Salilig's death and said that while Adamson University has launched an investigation and the Tau Gamma Phi's Triskelion Council of Imus City has pledged openness to collaborate with the bereaved family, it is critical to remain vigilant until justice is served and those involved are held fully accountable.
The Anti-Hazing Law, passed in 1995, regulates initiation rites and prohibits physical harm and violence against applicants.
It states that no hazing or initiation rites may be performed without prior written notice to the school authorities or head of organization seven days before the event, which must be attended by at least two representatives of the school or organization.
According to the law, "if the person subjected to hazing or other forms of initiation rites suffers any physical injury or dies as a result thereof, the officers and members of the fraternity, sorority, or organization who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm shall be liable as principals."
Individuals involved will face life in prison if initiation rites result in death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation.
