Hazing suspects face punishment

Those accountable for the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio must not slip through the long arms of the law

Darwin Dormitorio sustained multiple injuries from blunt force.

No one will go unpunished in the death of a 20-year-old Philippine Military Academy (PMA) plebe who was confirmed to have succumbed from hazing-related injuries, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexi Nograles yesterday.

Nograles reiterated the existence of an anti-hazing charter and said that those accountable for the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio must not slip through the long arms of the law.

“We all know that we have an anti-hazing law. If there indeed was hazing involved, the law is very clear on the punishments,” Nograles said in an interview with Palace reporters.

“And us in the administration of President (Rodrigo) Duterte, whoever is guilty must answer to the law, no matter who it is. We do not condone illegal acts and unlawful activities — and hazing is one of the things that this administration does not condone,” he added.

According to Nograles, Malacañang will be following Dormitorio’s case closely.

“We will apply the law equally. The President will apply the law equally as our Chief Executive. Whatever the result of the investigation, the outcome of the investigation and if this will be brought up to the court and be prosecuted, it will have to go through the full process of the law,” he added.

Meanwhile, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson confirmed medico-legal findings that there was internal bleeding due to blunt force possibly from punches and kicks to the stomach area.

Dickson added that they already have three “persons of interest” with regard to the death who will be charged under the Anti-Hazing Law.

Evangelista added that the upper class and 4th class squad mates of Dormitorio is under restrictive confinement to help in the thorough investigation of the case.

The PMA also said that it will file appropriate administrative charges and shall apply sanctions to all of those who are found responsible for the death of Dormitorio.

“While a handful of cadets may have lost their way and their appalling acts deserve utmost criticism and condemnation, the unfortunate chapter in the life of the Academy has also revealed how the vast majority of cadets firmly believe in human dignity, positive leadership and high moral standards,” PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista said.