3 fratmen eyed as star witnesses in hazing

MANILA, Philippines — Three Tau Gamma Phi fraternity members may become star witnesses in the hazing and death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig in February.

In its recommendation yesterday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) noted that the three helped in probing the case and in identifying those involved in the supposed fraternity initiation rites that went awry.

It also recommended yesterday the filing of charges against 20 more Tau Gamma officers and members, in addition to the seven fratmen who were earlier indicted for violating the anti-hazing law.

Salilig succumbed to injuries from 70 paddle blows, his father Joeffrey claimed. The fratmen then tried to hide the crime by burying the neophyte’s body in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite on Feb. 18. Ten days later, authorities were able to dig up his decomposing corpse.

According to the NBI, one of the three potential star witnesses, alias Ferdie, came forward to give his testimony on what happened to the younger Salilig.

Ferdie also reportedly wanted to be secured as other frat members threatened that “something bad” would happen to him and other witnesses.

A parent of one of the members, nicknamed Nards, said his son’s only fault was being a member of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity. Nards, he claimed, tried to revive Salilig through CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Nards, too, is afraid of reprisal from the frat officers, the parent added.

Exercising his parental authority, he agreed to have his son become a star witness in the case. It was Nards, he claimed, who repeatedly told the fratmen to bring Salilig to a hospital – a suggestion that was allegedly rejected by the officers.

The three witnesses will remain under the protective custody of the NBI.