SEN. Francis Tolentino yesterday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP to identify a medical doctor who was with the group of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity members when John Matthew Salilig fought for his life after the group’s welcome initiation rites.
Tolentino, who is the chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee, held his last hearing on the fatal hazing of Salilig yesterday.
Tolentino said he learned about the presence of a medical doctor as he reviewed the sworn statements of the suspects who have been tagged in the incident.
“May isang suspect, nagsalita siya (sa sworn statement) na meron isa silang kasamahan na may pinsan na doctor na nandoon nung halos naghihingalo na si Matthew ay humingi na tulong. Subalit ‘yung doctor ay hindi tumulong (There is one suspect who disclosed the information [in his sworn statement] that a doctor, who is a cousin of one of the frat men, was there when Matthew was fighting for his life. But apparently, the doctor did not help),” he said.
He said doctor, “who did not render medical assistance,” violated his oath as a medical doctor.
Tolentino said the doctor should be included in the criminal charges slapped against the fraternity men involved in the death of Salilig.
“Mabigat ang kaso nun. So kailangan lumabas ‘yun. Kung tumulong ‘yun baka buhay pa si Matthew (That is a grave offense, so we need that doctor to come out. If only he had helped, maybe Matthew is still alive),” he said.
CEBU HAZING
Tolentino said it was also discovered during the hearing that a teacher from the University of Cebu was involved in the hazing to death of Roniel Baguio, which happened on December 10 last year also at the hands of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
“Ongoing naman ang investigation ng pulis sa Cebu, so makakasama iyon… Itong case sa Cebu, siguro member din ‘yun ng frat (The investigation of the Cebu PNP is ongoing so the teacher will be included in the charges. This case in Cebu, I think the teacher was also a member of the fraternity [who recruited Baguio]),” he said.
Tolentino terminated the hearing into the hazing incidents after two meetings and has already come up with the committee’s initial recommendations.
These includes, among others, the proposal that students should inform school authorities if they are members of any fraternity for record purposes, and for teachers to do the same; schools should have trust funds so it can shoulder the medical expenses of its students and pay for legal expenses in similar incidents in the future, such as in the case of Salilig whose parents had to fly all the way from Zamboanga City after learning of his death; and the imposition of life sentence on individuals even if they are indirectly involved in hazing activities.
