PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. has called on all fraternities in the country to do away with brutal hazing rituals that could sometimes lead to unfortunate death of their neophytes even as he congratulated the Police Regional Office 4-A headed by Brigadier Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. for immediately solving the case of the Adamson University student who died after being brutalized by his supposed ‘brothers.’

“If they have rituals, they should study ilan na ba namamatay sa rituals? Do they feel happy? Do they feel proud na me namamatay, na me nawawala ang dreams and aspirations ng isang bata at ng kanyang pamilya dahil sa namatay ang estudyante sa hazing,” the top cop said.

A member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989, Gen. Azurin said it is high time for fraternity officials and members to speak up against hazing.

“Yun kasing sinasabing code of silence, parang policy ng grupo nila but if anyting happens to one of their members, that’s a criminal act. And in case of a particular incent, magsalita man sila o hind, pag nandun sila sa loob, they are guilty of violating the law,” he said.

“Sa PMA, sinasabi nila na me pahirap sa kadete pero ang mga kadete doon, they know kung hanggang saan ang endurance ng pinaparusahan. Alam ng upperclass kung papano gagamutin alam kung naabot na ang limit ng kadete. Pero sa fraternity, lahat nagpa-paddle tapos sasabihing brother nila yun,” he said.

Gen. Azurin said deadly hazing rituals must be stopped since we are already in a cyberworld. “Yung mga organizations na ganyan, natutuwa ba sila na they find joy and happinees in hurting their members. Dapat mag-level up na sila, tanggalin na yang mga physical abuses na yan,” he said.

The top cop said that criminal charges have been filed against the suspects in the death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig while those involved in the death of another student in Cebu City will be charged this week.

He also thanked the public for giving the local police reliable information which led in the immediate solution of the Salilig case. Gen. Azurin said that even a Zamboanga vice-mayor called him up to report the case of Salilig who went missing after attending a fraternity ritual.

In turn, he said that Police Regional Office 4-A director, Brigadier Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. immediately acted on the report and instructed the Laguna Police Provincial Office headed by Colonel Randy Glenn G. Silvio and the Cavite PPO led by Col. Christopher F. Olazo.

The PNP chief earlier ordered all concerned police units to exert all efforts to arrest the killers of Salilig and ensure that they will be prosecuted to the hilt thru strong evidence and reliable witnesses.

“The Philippine National Police would like to extend its condolences to the bereaved family of John Matthew Salilig, a student of Adamson University. As mandated by law, the PNP is committed to arrest all personalities involved in the hazing incident that cause the tragic death,” the top cop said.

The PNP chief ordered all PNP units tasked to participate in the investigation to collaborate, exert utmost effort, and maximize all available resources to immediately solve the case.

“The PNP gives stern warning to anyone, regardless of position or status in life, that the attempt to intervene and meddle in the conduct of investigation and prosecution of the said case will not be tolerated. The PNP will ensure the integrity of the prosecution of the case to bring justice to the family of John Matthew and to put the perpetrators behind bars as a consequence of their actions,” he added.

Officers from the PRO4-A and the Laguna and Cavite PPOs have been busy investigating the incident since the month started.

The Laguna PPO has already inquested six of the arrested suspects for violation of Republic Act 8409 as amended by RA 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law before Department of Justice Inquest Prosecutor Jayvee Laurene Bandong.

Facing non-bailable criminal charges following a complaint from the family of Salilig and Roi Osmond dela Cruz, a 1st year political student at Adamson University are Tung Cheng Teng alias ‘Nike,’22; Early Anthony Romero alias ‘Salughter,,21; Jerome Balot alias ‘Allie,,22; Sandro Victorino alias ‘Loki,’28; Michael Lambert Ritaldez,31; and Mark Pedro alias ‘Macoy,’39.

Teng, Romero, Balot and Victorino are all Adamson students. Ritalte is a tattoo artist while Pedroza is a jobless resident of Biñan City in Laguna.

All six are members the Tau Gamma Triskelion fraternity who were accused of subjecting Salilig and dela Cruz into heaving beatings during their initiation rites.

On Thursday afternoon, another suspect in the deadly hazing incident identified as Daniel Perry,23, also an Adamson student surrendered to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla Jr. who turned him over to Col. Olazo.

The grim search for Salilig, a 24-year old chemical engineering student of Adamson University who have been missing since last February 18 ended up last Tuesday in a shallow grave near a subdivision in Imus City in Cavite where the killers hastily buried the victim’s body.

Salilig, a resident of 955 General Solano Street, San Miguel, Manila went missing after undergoing an initiation rites of the Taum Gamma Phi ‘Triskelion’ Adamson University Chapter in the morning of February 18.

The official said that the Laguna PPO discovered that the so-called /welcome/initiation rites’ took place at the Muñoz Compound located in Barangay Casili in Biñan City.

A blue Ford Everest with plate no. NBG 5732 which was believed used by the suspects in transporting the victim has been impounded by the Laguna police who also arrested the owner of the vehicle who turned out to be a father of one of the accused. He is now facing charges for obstruction of justice.

Brig. Gen. Nartatez said that the body of the missing Adamson student who was believed to have received nearly 100 blows and paddle beatings in the body, was unearthed in a hastily-dug grave at the back of Jade Residences Subdivision in Bgy. Malagasang 1-G in Imus City on Tuesday afternoon.

The victim’s body was found buried in a vacant lot along the road going to the subdivision. The victim was positively identified by his brother John Martin.

Members of the Provincial Forensic Team processed the crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation into the case. The victim’s body was taken to a funeral parlor in Dasmariñas City for an autopsy.