Seven Tau Gamma Phi fraternity members allegedly involved in the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig are set to be charged for violating the Anti-Hazing Law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday, March 15.
The DOJ said in a statement “two (2) separate criminal informations for violation of Section 14(a) and 14(b)(1), respectively, of R.A. 8049, as amended by R.A. 11053, otherwise known as the ‘Anti-Hazing Act of 2018’, will be filed before the Regional Trial Court of Biñan City, Laguna.”
The department explained the decision was made after a panel of prosecutors found probable cause to indict the seven fratmen, namely, Earl Anthony Osita Romero, Tung Cheng Benitez Teng, Jerome Ochoco Balot, Sandro Dasalla Victorino, Michael Lambert Alcazar Ricalde, Mark Muñoz Pedrosa, and Daniel Delos Reyes Perry.
“In finding probable cause against the respondents, the panel explained in its resolution dated 13 March 2023 that all of the above-mentioned respondents planned and actually participated in hazing the recruits by way of paddling. The complainants were likewise able to establish that the injuries sustained by John Matthew Salilig led to his death,” it pointed out.
The DOJ noted that Salilig and fellow neophyte Roi Osmond Dela Cruz, who is also a complainant, underwent initiation rites conducted by the fraternity in Binan City, Laguna on Feb. 18.
““Unfortunately, the said rites led to the death of John Matthew Salilig and injuries to Roi Osmond Dela Cruz,” it lamented.
Meanwhile, the DOJ said that last March 10 lexander Marcelo and Earl Justine Abuda, two other neophytes who were also at the initiation rites, filed complaints for violating the Anti-Hazing Law.
The complaints named as respondents the seven fratmen and 12 other persons including Armando Hernandez Jr., Levi Mark Gianan, Mark Jios Rama, Ryan Ray Camangyan, Ar-Jay Bryle Arao, Christian C. Mercado, Lester John DL. Sus, Carlos Miguel V. Rovillos, Earl Miguel Q. Ursolino, Aron James G. Cruz, Ralph Benjamin M. Tan, and a certain McGreggor.
