The remains of John Matthew Salilig arrived in Zamboanga City via a C130 Plane of the Philippine Air Force on Thursday, March 02. His body was received by his family and will lie in state alongside his grandfather who passed away on February 22.
Mayor John Dalipe of Zamboanga City condemned the brutal murder of Salilig, a chemical engineering student allegedly killed by members of the Adamson University chapter of the Tau Gamma Phi Grand Fraternity during hazing rites last February 18 in Manila. The mayor vowed to work with authorities, fraternity and sorority organizations to eliminate hazing and safeguard the lives and well-being of students. Dalipe also expressed his gratitude to General Dennis Estrella of the Philippine Air Force for the swift assistance in bringing home the remains of John Matthew.
Seven suspects were arrested earlier and the Philippine National Police in Binan, Laguna said there are a total of 17 persons of interests in the case.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also condemned all forms of physical or psychological harm, stressing that hazing goes against the basic principles of fundamental rights and human dignity.