BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) — The Baguio-Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Host Parents Association, Inc condemns any act of violence in the Academy and commit to help PMA imbibe to its cadets the value of life, camaraderie, human relationships and understanding through foster parenting.
In an interview with former mayor Maurico Domogon, chair of the PMA Host Parents Association, he said the death of a promising cadet, Darwin Dormitorio, due to maltreatment he suffered from his upperclassmen is not only cruel, unjust and hearthbreaking but it is also a sad reality and reawakening.
The PMA host parents, ever since, abhorred the act of hazing or any form of violence as means to test the sincerity/brevity of incoming cadets, Domogan said.
We mourn the death of Cadet Dormitorio. The grief is intense, the public outcry is massive and we seek justice be served and the wrongdoers face sanctions of due process, he stated.
Domogan believes that the officials of the Academy did their and have been helpful and open in the investigation from Dormitorio’s hospitalization until his death.
Dormitorio died on September 18 and the Baguio City Police (BCPO) identified seven suspects in relation to his death following a thorough investigation that detailed his ordeal.
PMA Host Parent Association Chairperson, former Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan in a light moment with PMA Superintendent Ronnie Evangelista(L). Evangelista together with the Commandant of Cadets General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro resigned from their posts over Dormitorio’s death for command responsibility.
On Monday (Oct. 8), the Dormitorio family represented by Darwin’s elder brother Dexter, the family’s legal counsel Jose Adrian Bonifacio and BCPO Director PCol. Allen Rae Co formally filed at the Baguio City Prosecutors Office cases against 12 individuals for the death of the cadet. allegedly due to maltreatment.
Seven cadets- 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial, Felix Lumbag Jr., John Vincent Manalo, Julius Carlo Tadena and Rey David John Volante, Cadet 2nd Class Christian Zacarias, and Cadet 1st Class Axl Rey Sanopao were charged with the violation of the anti-torture law, anti-hazing law and murder; two tactical officers-Maj Rex Bolo and Capt. Jeffrey Bastitiana as accomplice and three doctors of the PMA Hospital Station- Col. Cesar Candelaria, Capt. Apple Apostol and Maj. Ofelia Beloy with dereliction of duty.
The PMA Host Parents Association said wrongdoings of a few is not the fault of the whole Academy as it appeals to all not to be judgmental and further besmirch or downgrade the institution that helped mould many good soldiers and great leaders. (JDP/JBZ- PIA CAR)
