Active case
Death of John Matthew Salilig
John Matthew Torres Salilig was a 24-year-old third-year chemical engineering student at Adamson University, originally from Zamboanga City, where he had seven siblings, two of whom were also members of Tau Gamma Phi. On February 18, 2023, Salilig attended fraternity initiation rites conducted by Tau Gamma Phi in an apartment in Biñan, Laguna. CCTV footage obtained by police showed Salilig and fraternity members traveling by bus to Biñan that morning, and later showed a vehicle used to transport him, followed by a motorcycle carrying a paddle allegedly used in the beatings.
During the initiation, which took place between approximately 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Salilig and two other neophytes suffered 70 blows to their bodies. Fraternity officers reportedly poured candle wax on the neophytes and whipped them with a belt. Salilig experienced stomach pain, soiled himself, turned pale, and vomited. The group then drove toward a house in Parañaque; accounts differ on whether Salilig lost consciousness before arrival or died en route in an SUV between Biñan and Manila. Rather than seeking hospital treatment, members of the group buried his body in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite.
Salilig's disappearance prompted his brother, John Martin, to travel from Zamboanga to Manila to search for him. On February 28, 2023, police discovered Salilig's decomposed body in the shallow grave, with his brother present at the scene. An autopsy determined that Salilig died from severe blunt force trauma to the lower extremities.
Police identified at least 18 persons of interest, with 14 alleged to have delivered blows to Salilig. On March 1, six suspects were arrested: Earl Anthony Romero, Tung Cheng Cheng, Jerome Balot, Sandro Victorino, Michael Lambert Ritalde, and Mark Pedrosa. A seventh suspect, Daniel de los Reyes Perry, described as the alleged master initiator, was arrested on March 2. All seven faced charges under Republic Act No. 11053, the Anti-Hazing Act. Ten other persons of interest remained at large. A father of one suspect was briefly arrested for obstruction of justice before being released. Another neophyte who underwent the initiation with Salilig turned himself in to police and identified six suspects.
On March 9, the National Bureau of Investigation released Tau Gamma Phi group chat messages detailing the fraternity's preparations for the initiation and members' reactions after Salilig fell ill and later died. The Department of Justice indicted the seven arrested suspects on March 15, and on April 12 all pleaded not guilty to hazing charges.
The case drew public reaction, including expressions of sympathy from Adamson University students and a reward offer from House Speaker Martin Romualdez. President Bongbong Marcos also expressed sympathy, stating that justice would be served. The incident was cited by student and labor groups opposing a proposed mandatory ROTC program.
Key facts
- Victims
- John Matthew Salilig
- Date
- 2023
- Location
- Biñan, Laguna (initiation site); body found in Imus, Cavite
- Case status
- ongoing
Case timeline
2023-02-17
Tau Gamma Phi members received a reminder about a mandatory meeting for initiation of recruits, per group chat messages later released by the NBI.
2023-02-18
Salilig attended fraternity initiation rites in Biñan, Laguna; he suffered 70 blows and later lost consciousness. He was last seen alive this day and reported missing afterward.
2023-02-28
Salilig's decomposed body was found by police in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite; a person of interest reportedly died by suicide the same day.
2023-03-01
Six suspects were arrested; Adamson University students wore black in sympathy for Salilig.
2023-03-02
A seventh suspect, alleged master initiator Daniel de los Reyes Perry, was arrested.
2023-03-03
The Philippine National Police warned the public not to interfere with the investigation.
2023-03-04
Salilig was interred at Forest Lake Memorial Park in Zamboanga City after a funeral.
2023-03-09
The National Bureau of Investigation released Tau Gamma Phi group chat messages detailing events before Salilig's death.
2023-03-15
The Department of Justice indicted seven suspects.
2023-04-12
All accused pleaded not guilty to hazing charges.
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People
Jerome Balot
CHARGEDArrested March 1, 2023 and indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
John Matthew Salilig
VICTIM24-year-old Adamson University chemical engineering student who died from blunt force trauma sustained during a fraternity initiation.
Daniel de los Reyes Perry
CHARGEDArrested March 2, 2023, alleged master initiator; indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
Tung Cheng Cheng
CHARGEDArrested March 1, 2023 and indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
Earl Anthony Romero
CHARGEDArrested March 1, 2023 and indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
Sandro Victorino
CHARGEDArrested March 1, 2023 and indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
Mark Pedrosa
CHARGEDArrested March 1, 2023 and indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
Michael Lambert Ritalde
CHARGEDArrested March 1, 2023 and indicted by the DOJ for violation of the Anti-Hazing Act; pleaded not guilty.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Archival records
unclassified
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 43
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 41
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 42
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
unclassified
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 37
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 21
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 36
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 03
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 31
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 10
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
unclassified
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 33
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
unclassified
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 38
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
archival location
Requiem-Candlelight Vigil for John Matthew Salilig Adamson University 45
Credit: Zarate123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Places
Common questions
- What happened to the victim?
- John Matthew Salilig, a 24-year-old Adamson University student, died on February 18, 2023, after suffering 70 blows during a Tau Gamma Phi fraternity initiation in Biñan, Laguna; his body was found in a shallow grave in Imus, Cavite, ten days later.
- Where did the crime happen?
- Biñan, Laguna (initiation site); body found in Imus, Cavite.
- What is the current status of the case?
- Status: ongoing. Last verified July 2026.
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Sources
- ENCYCLOPEDICDeath of John Matthew SaliligWikipedia · 2026-07-07
- PRESSFrat neophyte identifies 6 suspects in Adamson student's deathgmanetwork.com · 2026-07-07
- PRESS6 fratmen face hazing raps over death of Adamson studentabs-cbn.com · 2026-07-07
Record history
- First published
- JUL 07, 2026
- Last verified against sources
- JUL 07, 2026