MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet who died inside the barracks earlier this week was a victim of hazing.
Based on its probe released on Friday, the 20-year-old Darwin Dormitorio, sustained bruises on his stomach – a possible sign of hazing – at the time of his death on Wednesday inside the PMA barracks at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City.
PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista said there were three persons of interest in Dormitorio’s death – two 3rd Class cadets and one 1st Class cadet.
The PMA Hospital will also be under probe after it was found out that it diagnosed Dormitorio with a mere urinary tract infection a day before he died when he complained of stomach pain.
Hazing incidents and frat-related violence have been plaguing the country’s premier military training institution and other law schools through the years, some of which resulted to deaths.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson expressed his disappointment over the death of Dormitorio, saying that people who engage in hazing never seemed to learn from past incidents.
“Those possibly responsible for the death of 4 Cl Cadet Dormitorio are now surely regretting what they did. It is too late for them though and they will have to face the consequence of their indiscretions,” Lacson said.
“While we sympathize with the family of the victim, the father of whom was my underclassman when I was a cadet myself many years ago, we pity those, probably out of misplaced enthusiasm, (who) are facing possible court martial proceedings on account of this yet another unfortunate incident,” added Lacson./PN
