TWO more cadets were named as persons of interest while three others are now considered suspects in the death of 4th class Darwin Dormitorio who succumbed due to maltreatment.
This was disclosed in a joint statement of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) on Monday, September 23.
Nine cadets meanwhile are being considered as witnesses according to Major Reynan Afan, Philippine Military Academy spokesperson, while assuring the family of Dormitorio that justice will be served swiftly.
Afan added they are still awaiting the results of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the BCPO.
“As we continue to mourn over the passing of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, the search for truth, justice and accountability also continues to drive everyone in PMA to consistently cooperate with other competent authorities to be methodical, thorough and exhaustive in every step of the investigation process,” Afan said.
Cadet Dormitorio was found unconscious in the barracks at 4 a.m. of September 17 and was rushed to the PMA Station Hospital. At 5:15 a.m., the cadet was pronounced dead.
BCPO, in its initial investigation, reported Dormitorio went to the hospital for three times in August.
“More or less before he was brought to the hospital, this is where most of the maltreatment happened. Actually, the maltreatment happened before he was brought to the hospital in the morning of September 17,” said BCPO director Police Colonel Allen Rae Co.
Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 prohibits hazing and imposes harsher penalties on organizers and participants of hazing.
“On the administrative side, officers with direct responsibility on the unfortunate incident have been relieved to pave the way for impartial investigation.
Ongoing inquiries also disclose the urgent need to review the policies, procedures and systems on the healthcare management of the cadets. This includes an uncompromising exploration of the detection, diagnosis, prescription and sustainment of healthcare for every cadet,” Afan said.
PMA officials are currently collating the status of Cadet Dordmitorio days and weeks before the unfortunate incident as other officers and personnel are currently subjected to questioning while awaiting for other results of different investigations.
“It is in PMA and everyone’s interest for the truth to be exposed, for all persons responsible to be identified and for a solid case to be established,” Afan added.
On September 22, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. sent his “heartfelt and sincerest condolences” to Dormitorio’s family.
“We have already directed the Philippine Military Academy to conduct a thorough and speedy investigation to shed light [on] the incident. We will also hand over those responsible to proper authorities and let the wheels of justice turn,” said Madrigal’s statement.
AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said the two fourth class cadets-both confined in an undisclosed military hospital-are now “recovering and responding to medications and said to be in stable condition.”