Missing Adamson University student found dead in Cavite from apparent hazing; netizens condemn frat violence
The body of a college student who has been missing for more than a week and is suspected of being a victim of hazing was found on Tuesday, February 28, in Imus, Cavite.
On February 20, John Michael Salilig went to the Manila Police District to report that his youngest brother, John Matthew, had not been in contact for 2 days.
He said he last spoke to Matthew on February 17 or Friday when he was informed that he would attend the welcoming rites activity of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity in Laguna.
The entire day of Sunday or February 19 went by but no text or call was received from Matthew. His siblings did not pay much attention to this because the victim had a habit of letting his cell phone run out of battery.
But Michael became extremely worried when Matthew still remained uncontactable the next day, especially since they were talking about taking their father to the airport back to Zamboanga.
According to another brother, Martin, he received a message from an unknown and apparently dummy account on social media about what happened to his brother during the fraternity’s welcoming rites.
The share locator of Matthew’s cellphone indicated that he was last present at a bus terminal in Buendia, Pasay.
During the police investigation, Matthew was seen disembarking in Biñan with other members of the fraternity before heading to the welcoming rites.
Authorities have identified 18 suspects, who will be charged with violating the Anti-Hazing Law.
According to one of the suspects, Matthew was beaten at least 10 times during the initiation rites. It is said that he lost his life while riding in an SUV after the rites.
In a statement Tuesday, Adamson University confirmed the death of a student who had been reported missing, although the student was not named in the statement.
Adamson announced that it is conducting its own investigation into the incident and assured it is cooperating with the authorities regarding the case.
A copy of the medico-legal report on the death of Matthew indicated that cause of death is due to “severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.
Adamson also urged the public to avoid spreading “unverified information” about the incident.
Netizens called for justice for Matthew and blamed the practice of hazing by some college fraternities in which neophytes are initiated into groups by means that range from subtle to violent. Many netizens reminded students that they don’t need to submit to humiliation and physical abuse in order to belong to a fraternity. Some are even calling for the complete abolition of fraternities.
