POLICE Regional Office-Cordillera Director Israel Ephraim Dickson described the last days of 4th Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio as a slow death, as he called to stop the culture of violence at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), which is adjudged to be the best in Asia.
Leading the investigation on the case is the Baguio City Police Office, with director Police Colonel Allen Rae Co disclosing medico legal reports that show the taser-flashlight was used on the gonads and body of Dormitorio.
Bruises on Dormitorio's private parts and body show electrocution marks and scars coupled with severe physical beating inflicted by first, second and third class cadets who took turns punching, kicking and knocking down the young cadet.
Co said on Monday, September 30, that based on the final investigation, the abuse started on the night of August 19, when Dormitorio fell to his knees many times from the force of the beatings, as told by 16 cadet witnesses who recounted the beatings they watched happen.
Below is the timeline:
August 19
Dormitorio was told to do exercises in his room but the 20-year-old cadet was punched several times by 3rd Class Felix Lumbag Jr.
Co said "Cadet 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag Jr. punched and kicked Dormitorio because he allegedly spent P2,000 of his P4,000 allowance, which is supposed to be used for their needs."
The maltreatment lasted for more than 20 minutes.
Dormitorio fell down many times.
August 20-27
For eight days, Dormitorio was admitted to the PMA hospital with doctor's diagnosis of multiple soft tissue hematoma, abdomen and back: partial thickness burn-healed, left shoulder.
His family was never informed.
August 28
Dormitorio's nose bleed profusely due to a beating by Cadet 3rd class Shalimar Imperial.
He was brought to the PMA station hospital for respiratory tract infection; soft tissue contusion, chest area.
September 6
Dormitorio was again brought to the hospital because he had a swollen jaw.
According to his roommates, he was brought to the hospital because he had a toothache/swollen jaw.
September 14
On the night of September 14, Cadets Imperial, Lumbag and a certain Cadet Manalo coved the face of Dormitorio with a thick plastic dress cap doused with rubbing alcohol.
The upper class cadets then tied his hands behind his nape and a soft broom was inserted between his arms and neck as they firmly held his upper body and legs to prevent him from moving.
Dormitorio was shouting continuously in pain and was suffocating.
Cadet Manalo then cautioned them to stop when Cadet Dormitorio was already getting too loud but they did not mind him.
A witness then saw them while he was on the ledge through the window and made them stop what they were doing to Dormitorio.
The succeeding days, the "buddies" were ordered by Cadet Witness A as "off-limits" from Dormitorio and they can no longer supervise him.
September 17
At 4:30 a.m., Dormitorio joined a duty exercise for 40 minutes and performed all exercises.
At 5:20 a.m., all cadets went to the Yap Hall.
At 6:52 a.m., at the Mayo Hall Barracks, Cadet 1st Class Sanopao called out Dormitorio three times, saying: "Dormitorio Out!"
At 6:53 a.m., from room 209, Dormitorio immediately reported to 1st Class Sanopao where he was ordered to look for his combat boots but he could not find the boots.
At 7 a.m. to 7:05 a.m., Dormitorio called for the "Buddies" (3rd Class Imperial and 3rd Class Lumbag) at their room. Dormitorio, together with Lumbag and Imperial, entered the room of Sanopao. After which, the three went out from the room of Sanopao and proceeded to the room of Lumbag and Imperial.
At 7:30 a.m. of the same day, Sanopao called Dormitorio to his room and when he came out, he was shivering in pain at the hallway.
At 7:31 a.m. to 7:35 a.m., at the hallway, Sanopao said to him "Bat parang cool na cool ka?"
He then ordered Dormitorio to perform squat thrusts but he was only able to perform five, as he was not feeling well and was clearly in pain.
A witness came and asked Dormitorio at the hallway what happened to him. He replied he was not feeling well. The witness asked Dormitorio who his squad leader is. Dormitorio replied, "Cadet Zacarias sir." He was then commanded: "Mag inside bunks ka dun!" Dormitorio proceeded to Zacarias's room where he slept.
At 8:30 a.m., Zacarias arrived at their room. Zacarias was surprised to see Dormitorio inside his bunks.
At 8:31 a.m., Zacarias asked Dormitorio why was he sleeping on his bunks but Dormitorio did not answer. A witness noticed Dormitorio was using his blanket so the witness pulled away his blanket.
Zacarias asked Dormitorio again who made him sleep on his bunks but still Dormitorio was not answering. Another witness then answered for Dormitorio.
Zacarias pulled Dormitorio from the bed to stand up. However, he cannot stand and noticeably in pain, as he was holding on to his stomach.
Dormitorio fell on the floor. Zacarias then strongly kicked Dormitorio more than five times on the right side of his body while he was lying on the floor.
At 8:40 a.m., Zacarias went to 1st Class Lucas (Echo Company commander) and reported that Dormitorio was unable to stand up and that he needs to be brought to the hospital.
Ambulance arrived at 9:05 a.m. and brought Dormitorio to the station hospital.
He arrived in the hospital at 9:15 a.m.
At 5 p.m., Dormitorio returned to his room where he was weak and in pale state. He also told another cadet why he was in pain, "Ikaw ba kabugin, suntukin at sipain na naka-hang at di maihap (counted)."
At 6:20 p.m., Dormitorio was sleeping at room 209.
At 6:30 p.m., 3rd Class Volante arrived and noticed Dormitorio sitting on the floor. He slowly pulled his pants down. Volante slightly kicked Dormitorio in the forehead once to make him move faster. He was wearing dress shoes. He was unaware that Dormitorio is in SIQ (Sick in Quarters) status.
At 7:15 p.m., the 3rd Class Duty Cadet arrived and inspected room 209. He saw Dormitorio sleeping so he cautioned him to not sleep on that time but rather do it during their duty at Lopez Hall.
At 7:30 p.m., at the room of Lumbag and Imperial, they showed a video of Dormitorio. He (Dormitorio) was being portrayed as "malingering" (significant exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms).
At 7:32 p.m., Dormitorio reported to Company Tactical Officer Captain Batistiana at TAC O's room (1st Floor).
At 7:38 to 7:40 p.m., Dormitorio alone with Batistiana. Dormitorio vomited at the comfort room at the first floor. Upon query by a witness, he revealed that he was "nakatay" (maltreated) by Lumbag and Imperial.
At 7:45 p.m., another witness informed Dormitorio about the video and that Imperial warned that he will be reported of "deceiving." Dormitorio responded: "Hindi naman agad eepekto yung kabog. Siya kaya pagkakabugin ko."
At 9:35 to 9:45 p.m., Dormitorio was left inside room 209. His roommates went out for the 4th Class duty at Lopez Hall.
At 10:30 p.m., Dormitorio was seen at the hallway. Sanopao saw him and called for him and showed him to the 2nd Class and 3rd Class cadets and said that Dormitorio is in improper uniform. The witness also said to him: "Go ahead, hindi na kita endorse, back to room ka na."
Furthermore, Dormitorio was observed to be not moving like a normal plebe (who is supposed to be quick and in a rush in the presence of an upperclass). Dormitorio was very slow and he did not greet his upperclassmen.
At 10:33 to 10:45 p.m., Dormitorio was back in room 209. Fourth Class cadets reported to Club room at the first floor to answer "shabbity list." Dormitorio was seen outside the Club room peeping inside after the other fourth class cadets finished the "shabbity list."
A 4th class cadet and 3rd Class Tadena entered room 209. Tadena "tasered" another cadet and the other 4th class cadet was ordered to perform exercises ("mase-mase."), while another fourth class cadet was standing at attention.
At 10:45 p.m., Dormitorio was ordered to go to his room where 3rd class cadet Julius Tadena used the taser on Dormitorio's gonads and said he shouted like a girl when "tasered" and that made him a "faggot."
When Dormitorio went back to his room, he complained of severe stomach pain.
September 18
Early morning of September 18, Dormitorio vomited. Cadet Witness F called Zacarias to room 209. He gaveDormitorio medicine, toasted bread and water.
At 12:45 a.m., Lieutenant Quibilan checked room 209. Dormitorio was lying on his bunks. Quibilan ordered Zacarias to leave the room.
At 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., Zacarias returned to room 209. Dormitorio was given Skyflakes and water by Zacarias. Dormitorio vomited two more times before Dormitorio slept.
An hour later, Dormitorio was seen sitting on the floor. His back and head rested against the study table.
Duty Sentinel 3rd Class Cadet arrived at room 209 and turned on the lights. The cadets stood up but Dormitorio remained sitting on the floor motionless.
The Duty Sentinel commanded two cadets to wake Dormitorio but he was unresponsive, he had no pulse and was not breathing.
Dormitorio was then brought to the PMA Station hospital at 4 a.m.
He was officially declared dead at 5:15 a.m
As of Tuesday, October 1, at least seven suspects have been charged for violation of the anti-hazing law and murder.
The missing boots, which were entrusted to Dormitorio, have yet to be recovered.