ARREST orders are out for suspects in the death of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet Darwin Dormitorio in 2019.
Presiding Judge Maria Ligaya Itliong-Rivera of the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 in Baguio City issued on July 7, warrants for the arrest of former cadets Shalimar Imperial Jr., Felix Lumbag Jr. and Julius Carlo Tadena charged with violations of Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act.
On Wednesday, Baguio City Police Office Director Colonel Allen Rae Co said coordination is ongoing with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Military Academy as the cadets are under their custody.
The Anti-Hazing Act, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 29, regulates hazing and other forms of initiation rites done by fraternities, sororities and organizations.
Arrest warrants were also issued to Imperial Jr., Lumbag Jr. for the murder including Captain Flor Apple Apostol, Major Maria Ofelia Beloy and Lieutenant Colonel Ceasar Candelaria from the Fort del Pilar Station Hospital at PMA.
Rivera recommended no bail for Imperial, Lumbag and Tadena while accused Apostol, Beloy and Candelaria have fixed bail bonds of P200,000 each.
Last month, three Baguio City prosecutors in-charge of the Dormitorio case recommended Imperial, Lumbag, and Tadena to be prosecuted and indicted for hazing.
In the 66-page resolution, prosecutors also recommended for Imperial, Lumbag and Apostol, Beloy and Candelaria be prosecuted and indicted for murder.
Tadena was indicted for the less serious crime of physical injuries while 2CL Christian Zacarias prosecuted and indicted for slight physical injuries.
However, charges against 1CL Axl Rey Sanopao, 3CL Rey David John Volante, 3CL John Vincent Manalo, Major Rex Bolo, Captain Jeffrey Batistiana and former PMA Officials Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista and Brigadier General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro were recommended to be dismissed for lack of probable cause.