Death of John Matthew Salilig

John Matthew Torres Salilig (December 1, 1998 – February 18, 2023), a 24-year-old 3rd-year chemical engineering student from Adamson University, died on February 18, 2023 after undergoing fraternity initiation rites conducted by Tau Gamma Phi in Biñan, Laguna. His body was later found by the police in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite, on February 28, 2023. A police investigation determined that Salilig died from blunt force trauma as a result of the 70 blows he sustained during the initiation. At least 18 individuals were implicated by the police in the death of the student; seven of whom were arrested, including an alleged master initiator. John Matthew Torres Salilig was a 24-year-old 3rd-year chemical engineering student from Adamson University. He was based in Zamboanga City and had seven siblings. He was a member of the Zamboanga chapter of Tau Gamma Phi. Two of his brothers, John Michael and John Martin, are also members of Tau Gamma Phi. John Michael also underwent initiation rites but survived the hazing. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported at least 178 hazing incidents since 2012, with the highest number being recorded in 2019. The Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law was first enacted in 1995 following the 1991 death of Lenny Villa, a student from Ateneo de Manila University. The law was amended and supplemented in 2018 following the death of Horatio Castillo, a student from the University of Sto. Tomas, in 2017. Despite this, the practice of hazing still continues. On February 18, 2023, John Matthew Salilig attended the initiation rites conducted by Tau Gamma Phi in an apartment in Biñan, Laguna, according to his brother. He was then reported missing after. During the investigation, police obtained CCTV footage timestamped 10:30 am (PhST), showing Salilig and the Tau Gamma fraternity members riding the bus to Biñan for the initiation rites on February 18, 2023 - the date when Salilig was last seen alive.