Fatal hazing continued in past year

Several persons lost their lives due to hazing in 2023.

In February, Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig was found buried in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite days after he was reported missing. 

Investigation showed that Salilig went through the welcoming rites of the Tau Gamma Phi chapter at the university on the afternoon of February 19. 

He was already a member of the chapter in Zamboanga.

The victim reportedly was already in bad shape in the middle of the rites. They were already on their way back to Manila when he died.

Instead of bringing Salilig to the hospital, the suspects decided to bury him in Cavite.

“Ang sabi itago na lang, idispose na lang…Sorry talaga,” one of the suspects in Salilig’s death said. 

Ahldryn Leary Bravante, a fourth-year criminology student at the Philippine College of Criminology, died in October after receiving 60 paddle strikes  during an initiation rites of the Tau Gamma Phi.  

Four out of the six suspects in police custody have been charged with violating the anti-hazing law, while others remain at large.

In November, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) trainee died due to drowning during a training session in Cavite. 

A video of the incident showed victim Mori Caguay drowned during a Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training of the PCG. It was also seen in the video the victim was only rescued when he was floating and unconscious.

The PCG suspended water training activities following the incident. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News