2 more accused in Salilig hazing case plead not guilty

Two more accused in the hazing death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig have pleaded not guilty before a Biñan court.

In a message to GMA News Online, the panel of prosecutors said Armando Hernandez Jr. (Tyler) and Lester Sus (Biggie) pleaded not guilty before the Biñan Regional Trial Court Branch 155 for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law through videoconference on Wednesday.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Earl Justine Abuda or alias Bin Laden and Alexander Marcelo or alias Lee, who were with Salilig during the welcoming rites, as well as the complaint filed by Salilig’s brother, John Michael, and neophyte Roi Dela Cruz.

Abuda and Marcelo’s complaint was filed against 17 individuals while Dela Cruz and John Michael’s complaint was filed against 11 individuals and a certain “McGregor.”

Meanwhile, the panel said the arraignment of “Mc Gregor” was deferred to August 16 after he filed a motion for reconsideration.

Prosecutors said many of the accused have yet to be arraigned as they are still at large.

The body of Salilig, 24, was found in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite, on February 28, ten days after he was reported missing. 

It was later revealed that Salilig, a member of the Tau Gamma Phi chapter in Zamboanga, joined the welcoming rites for the Adamson chapter in Biñan, Laguna.

At a Senate hearing, Dela Cruz previously said that Tau Gamma members decided not to bring Salilig to the hospital after he suffered a seizure during the welcoming rites.

— RSJ/ VAL, GMA Integrated News