TWO officials of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) have resigned from their posts following the death of a cadet due to hazing.
The academy superintendent, Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista, and commandant of Corps of Cadets, Brigadier General Bartolome Bacarro, said they resigned over command responsibility.
They tendered their resignation less than a week after Cadet 4th class Darwin Dormitorio died of cardiac arrest secondary to internal hemorrhage.
“All the reports for the administrative and criminal cases are now finished and prosecution procedures has commenced, the last act that this great military institution demands is for the leadership to take responsibility over what happened,” Evangelista said in a statement.
“In the military tradition of ‘command responsibility,’ it is now the proper time for me as the head of this institution together with the commandant of cadets to relinquish our respective positions,” he added.
Evangelisata said, "I have already tendered my resignation to the Chief of Armed Forces of the Philippines. I will do all that is left to be done while I wait for the official orders,” adding, “I did not leave my post in the midst of crisis, I faced the problem squarely and we have finished the investigation".
Evangelista is the 80th Superintendent of PMA and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.
He added while their actions will not bring back the life of the cadet, it is PMA’s solemn responsibility to search for the truth, work for justice, hold people accountable and prevent any occurrence of maltreatment in the future.
He also condemns the death of the Dormitorio inside the PMA.
“It was wrong for a person to die in this manner in PMA. It was wrong for a cadet to die in the hands of fellow cadets. Maltreatment is wrong in PMA,” stated Evangelista on the passing of Dormitorio.
He added the academy has also initiated a series of reviews to evaluate the internal healthcare systems, leadership behaviors of cadets and the training culture that will eradicate any possibility for maltreatment to occur.
“We have the resolve, determination and inspiration to ascertain that Cadet Dormitorio did not die in vain. PMA will take this opportunity to cleanse its ranks and further professionalize every aspect of education and training,” Evangelista said.
Earlier, four PMA officers were relieved pending the investigation on the incident.
They are tactics officers Major Rex Bolo and Captain Jeffrey Batistiana and hospital officers Colonel Cesar Candelaria and Captain Flor Apostol, the attending physician of Dormitorio.
Malacañang lauded Evangelista for having the "delicadeza" to step down and assume full responsibility over Dormitorio's death.
"I'd like to commend Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista for showing his kind of delicadeza by resigning as superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy," the Palace official said.
"This is the right step to maintain the integrity of the Philippine Military Academy," he added.
Panelo said Evangelista's resignation may lead as an example to other government officials who will be embroiled in controversies.
"Immediately, nag-resign siya (He immediately resigned) and including [Bacarro], I understand," he said.
"Sana ganyan ang mga public officials. 'Pag nagkaroon ng isang insidente sa opisina ninyo and you feel it's command responsibility, huwag na kayong mag-hintay na bigyan ng insinuation na dapat mag-resign ka," Panelo added.
(I hope public officials would emulate him. When there is an incident in your office and you feel it's command responsibility, do not wait for an insinuation that you need to resign.)
Dormitorio, 20, died on September 18, 2019 after vomiting and complaining of stomach pain. Autopsy showed he had bruises on his abdomen.
Three cadets identified as Cadets 3rd class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag and Cadet 1st class Axl Rey Sanupao were all charged criminally for their direct involvement in the hazing rites.
They have been recommended to be separated or discharged from the academy.
Four cadets identified as Cadet 2nd class Nickoel Termil, Cadets 1st class Irvin Sayud, Elbert Lucas and Christian Correa were slapped with administrative charges.
Termil was said to be Dormitorio’s squad leader, Sayud was the platoon leader, Lucas was his commanding officer and Correa was the floor inspector.
Hazing is unlawful based on Republic Act (RA) 11052 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018.
The law forbids all forms of hazing in fraternities, sororities, and organizations in schools, including citizens, military and citizens' army training.
Panelo assured that there will be no whitewash in the investigation.
"Investigation is currently ongoing. The Office of the President guarantees that there will be no whitewash and expects that justice will be rendered for those responsible for the PMA plebe's fatal death," he added. (SunStar Philippines/With reports from Lauren Alimondo and Jonathan Llanes, SunStar Baguio)