ADAMSON University student organizations demanded accountability and transparency over the recent fraternity-related violence that killed 24-year-old John Matthew Salilig.

In a unity statement, the Adamson University Student Government, school publication The Adamson Chronicle, college student councils and recognized student organizations said the university should “take bolder steps toward the search for truth” regarding Salilig’s death.

Adamson University earlier said it has launched its own investigation into the matter. 

READ: Adamson University launches own probe of student’s death

“Our top priority is to protect every Adamsonian’s welfare, and our University Administration should do the same,” the student organizations wrote. “With different concerns from the parents of our fellow students, we demand accountability and transparency about this matter for the clarity of mind of the community.”

At the same time, they called on the individuals involved to reveal the truth about the hazing incident. 

“To speak ambiguously of his case only protects the offenders behind this heinous crime. It is only right for his story to be heard,” they said.

Aside from this, the student organizations also pushed the school administrators to release a more comprehensive statement regarding Salilig’s unfortunate death, and to impose appropriate sanctions on those involved.

Protect the students

Moreover, they also called for more stringent security measures within the university premises so that they could protect and safeguard the students’ welfare.

“We also urge to tighten the security within the university premises and to monitor the students’ welfare with thorough verification processes of accrediting organizations and groups that will be associated with the university’s name to prioritize the safety of our fellow students,” the organizations wrote.

The community also denounced any form of violence that takes place during fraternity and sorority initiation processes, citing IRepublic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law, 

“Ultimately, we strongly condemn any form of harm and abuse as part of the recruitment process. The center of brotherhood and sisterhood in existing fraternities and sororities does not have to revolve around the use of violence,” they said. 

The Salilig hazing case

Adamson University confirmed the death of one of its students on Tuesday, February 28, more than a week since his disappearance.

The victim was last seen in a bus terminal in Makati as he was reportedly heading to Biñan City, Laguna for a fraternity welcoming rites.

Salilig’s body was found buried in a shallow pit in a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite.

According to an autopsy report from the Police Regional Office – CALABARZON, the victim’s cause of death was “severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.”

Local authorities said they were considering fraternity violence in the incident.

Initial reports also said that Salilig received at least 70 paddle hits during the initiation rites conducted by the members of Tau Gamma Phi, a fraternity where he was already a member. 

Police said they are set to file charges against 17 Tau Gamma members. 

Officials outraged

Senators had condemned Salilig’s death and had called on law enforcers to fully implement the Anti-Hazing law. 

President Marcos Jr. assured Salilig’s family that “justice will be served” and extended his sympathies to them. 

“John was a child, a brother, a friend, a classmate, and a son of this nation, with a bright future ahead of him,” Marcos said in a statement.

He also said violence is not the measure of the strength of brotherhood. 

“There should be no room for violence in our student organizations which our children consider family, and in our schools which they consider their second home,” he added. 

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