Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta couldn’t hide her emotions while explaining why they refused to provide lawyers to the fraternity members of Tau Gamma Phi who were being accused behind the demise of Adamson University’s chemical engineering junior John Matthew Salilig.
During a press conference, Acosta said that they’re not willing to give lawyers to the suspects because they’re already providing free legal support to the victim’s family and to the witnesses who were willing to give information about what happened during the initiation rites.
“Hindi namin sila tutulunga.. Conflict of interest.. Lumapit sila sa private lawyers. Ang lakas ng loob nilang mambugbog tapos ngayon lalapit sa PAO.” Acosta said. “Nauna ‘yung biktima eh, nauna rin ‘yung state witness. Bakit natin papayagan na mag-PAO vs. PAO? Conflict ‘yan. Humanap sila [ng abogado]. Gagawa kayo ng kriment, tapos gusto niyo ipagtanggol kayo [ng PAO].
Acosta even said that the suspects deserved serious charges, especially when they decided to hide the body of John Matthew instead of informing the authorities about what happened.
She PAO chief also said that she was also a mother, so she understood the sadness being felt by John Matthew’s family.
“Sino ang matutuwa diyan? Hindi na nga ako dati nagagalit pero nakakagalit yan. Nanay din ako.. Kaya yung iba inilalagay ‘yung batas sa kanilang kamay eh.” she said.
Meanwhile, Acosta also praised PNP Imus for being fast in solving the case of John Matthew. At the same time, she criticized PNP Cebu for spending several months already without solving another case similar to the Adamson student.
She also criticized the initiation rituals being held by some fraternities in the country.