AFP to keep custody of three PMA cadets despite court order

July 30, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will retain custody of three Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets charged over the death of 4th Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio despite the Baguio City court's order to transfer them to the city jail.

"They (court) are yet to resolve the petition. The main point is the General Court Martial of the AFP has already acquired jurisdiction on the persons of these cadets pursuant to the case that they were charged against for violation of Articles of War 97 which means we are validly holding them (in) our custody," said Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, on Thursday.

"After the court released an order of warrant of arrest, we informed the court (that) these cadets are subject to military law and are detained at the AFP, and they can be brought to court whenever they are needed," he said.

"For the meantime we asked for the court's permission to retain their custody, if the court resolve and if they decide to deny our petition, that's the time that we will be able to take appropriate action," he added.

The Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 5 ordered on July 29, the transfer of PMA cadets Shalimar Imperial Jr., Felix Lumbag Jr., and Julius Carlo Tadena to the Baguio City Jail while the court resolves the AFP's motion to retain their custody over the trio. Robina Asido/DMS