The BCPO has yet to file appropriate charges against the hazing suspects as statements from witnesses are still being collected to shed more light on the case, said Co. #PMAhazing

Darwin Dormitorio sustained multiple injuries from blunt force.

BAGUIO CITY — Philippine Military Academy (PMA) 4th Class Cadet and hazing victim Darwin Dormitorio was allegedly maltreated by his upperclassmen due to a missing pair of combat boots, according to Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Director Allan Co.

The boots of Cadet 1st Class Axl Rey Sanupao entrusted to Dormitorio was missing for a week before the fatal hazing incident happened and the hospitalization of Dormitorio on 17 September 2019, Co said citing findings of their investigation.

Co said Cadets 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag asked Sanupao permission to deal with Dormitorio over the missing boots and the latter agreed.

Imperial and Lumbag was ordered separated from the service by PMA authorities because of direct involvement in the beating of Dormitorio. Sanupao was also kicked out for encouraging the violence on Dormitorio.

The BCPO has yet to file appropriate charges against the hazing suspects as statements from witnesses are still being collected to shed more light on the case, said Co.

He said some the witnesses have already given their testimonies to the Baguio City Assistant Prosecutor.

“We are still awaiting for the statements and actions of the family as private complainants para po iisa ang ating tatahakin,” he said.

The possible charge to be filed is violation of the anti-hazing law, Co added.

The police chief said that Dormitorio was first confined on 19 August and 6 September 2019 because of internal body pains.

He said they are still to review the medical abstracts of Dormitorio when he was last confined on 17 September 2019 so that they will be able to look at the connections of his hospitalizations.

Co said they found out that the persons being blamed for Dormitorio’s death are the same persons who allegedly caused his previous hospitalizations.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo on Wednesday said the Inspector General (IG) of the AFP is set to conduct its own probe on the latest hazing incident at the PMA that claimed the life of a cadet last week.

Arevalo said no less than newly-installed AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Noel Clement will send the IG, Maj. Gen. Antonio Ramon Lim, to conduct an “independent, thorough and impartial probe” over the death of Dormitorio due to maltreatment or hazing.

He said through the probe, they can make new policies and enforce it to help bring about change in the PMA.

“Isa-submit po ito pagkatapos ng imbestigasyon ang kanyang mga rekomendasyon sa ating kasalukuyang AFP Chief of Staff upang maipatupad at magkaroon po tayo ng karampatang pagbabago, kinakailangang pagbabago sa PMA [This will be submitted after the inveatigation to our current AFP Chief of Staff so it can be enforce and have the needed change in the PMA],” Arevalo said.

At the same time, Clement has also ordered the convening of the Board of General Deliberations to start the selection of the new PMA superintendent and commandant of cadets following the resignations of Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evagelista and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Baccaro from their respective posts over the hazing incidents.

“Inutos na rin po nya ang agarang pagsasailalim ng tinatawag nating Board of General Delierations upang mapangalanan na kung sino ang susunod na superintendent ng Philippine Military Academy at sino po ang magiging Commandant of Cadets sapagkat critical po ‘yang mga posisyong na yan sa training ng ating mga future officers,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo also said Clement has ordered the PMA to conduct orientation among cadets to change their mental setup or mindset especially on the “Code of Omerta.”

Omerta literally means “manhood” and refers to the idea of a man dealing with his own problems without the help of a law-body. The term has become synonymous with Mafia’s code of silence.

With regards to the order of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for all PMA fourth class cadets to undergo medical examination, Arevalo said he has not received any information about it.

Arevalo said Clement has assured of the AFP’s firm commitment and steadfast resolve to get over the crisis it is currently experiencing as result of the death of Dormitorio due to hazing.

Arevalo assured there will be no white-wash.

“There will be no cover-up as may be gleaned from the number and classes of cadets who were meted steep penalties such as separation from the Academy— without prejudice to other cases that may be filed against them,” Arevalo said.

As this developed, two of the three classmates of Dormitorio taken to the AFP Medical Center are now in stable condition and responding to medication.

Arevalo said the cadets were also coherent when defense and military officials led by Lorenzana spoke to them during a visit to the hospital last Monday.

He said later that day, one of the two cadets was transferred to St. Luke’s Global City in Taguig City for further tests to ensure that all medical procedures will be rendered on him so he can immediately return to his normal self. (With Francis Wakefield)