Tau Gamma hazing death: Doctor denies refusing to treat victim

MANILA, Philippines — A medical doctor accused of refusing to treat hazing victim John Matthew Salilig surfaced on Wednesday and denied the allegations thrown at him by one of the suspects in the killing of the Adamson University (AdU) student.

The physician went to the Biñan City police station in Laguna on Wednesday wherein he gave his version of what transpired at a house in Parañaque City that contradicted the statement of Ralph Benjamin Tan, a member of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity and one of the suspects in Salilig’s death.

Biñan police chief Lt. Col. Virgilio Jopia said the doctor, whom he did not identify, went to Parañaque to pick up his cousin, who was also a victim of the hazing rites by fraternity members.

“According to the statement he gave us, he and his relatives were surprised that one of the suspects implicated him,” Jopia said in an interview with Teleradyo.

The doctor, in a separate interview aired over Teleradyo, said he was resting in his house when his cousin, a certain Lee, called him on his cell phone and asked to be picked up somewhere in Parañaque.

While talking with his cousin, the doctor heard someone interject on the other line and ask the cousin what they should do to a person who suddenly became unconscious.

He urged the person, who turned out to be Tan, to bring the unconscious person to the hospital.

The doctor said he never saw Salilig when he picked up his cousin, whom he later learned also sustained injuries due to hazing.

He was surprised when it appeared during the Senate hearing that he declined to help Salilig.

“Taliwas doon sa kuwento na lumalabas sa hearing na nasa harapan ko raw ‘yung tao na naghihingalo na, hindi ako gumawa ng kahit anong (It is contrary to what came out in the hearing that the man was dying and I did not administer any) first aid or medical treatment,” he said.

Had he known that Salilig needed emergency assistance, the doctor said he would have readily helped the student.

“As a doctor, we have an oath to help those in need,” he said.

Jopia said they would compare the doctor’s statement with the statements obtained by the National Bureau of Investigation.