EDITORIAL - Man up

The confessed “master initiator” has surrendered, saying he was bothered by his conscience. If it was truly his conscience and not merely the fact that he was identified by the police, there’s hope yet for redemption for Daniel Perry, the Adamson University student who has reportedly admitted leading the violent hazing that John Matthew Salilig and three other neophytes underwent at the hands of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity on Feb. 18.

Salilig died after being beaten with a wooden paddle at least 70 times, as narrated by the other neophytes, who lived to tell the tale and identify their tormentors. Salilig, a 24-year-old chemical engineering student, died while being driven back to his home, and was buried in a vacant lot in Imus, Cavite.

Perry, known as Sting, reportedly participated in both the hazing and burial. He surrendered to Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla. At just age 23, Perry now faces the prospect of life in prison plus a fine of up to P3 million for Salilig’s death. Another fraternity member identified only as Sakmal, an Adamson graduate who reportedly drove an Adventure AUV used by the hazing suspects, was found dead by hanging in Taguig City on Feb. 28. Police have impounded the AUV owned by Sakmal’s family.

After Perry’s admission, the rest of the fraternity members should man up and face the consequences of their savage crime. Like online trolls and bullies hiding behind the anonymity of social media, these fraternity members with perverted ideas about brotherhood find safety in numbers when they indulge their inner savage and beat up helpless neophytes. But when caught, they turn tail and run to mama and papa.

Other Tau Gamma Phi members also surrendered last week to the police in Biñan, Laguna where the hazing took place. They are Jerome Balot, Mark Pedrosa, Michael Lambert Ritalde, Earl Anthony Romero, Tung Cheng Teng and Sandro Victorino.

Still wanted by the Philippine National Police are Arjay Bryle Arao, Ryan Ray Camangyan, Aron James Cruz, Christian Cruz, Lalan Hernandez, Carlos Miguel Rovillos, Lester John De Lara Sus, Ralph Tan and Earl Miguel Queaño Ursolino.

Other students should learn precious lessons from this latest case of fatal hazing. The lives of these young men have been ruined during several hours of insanity. They should ask themselves: was the orgy of violence worth it?