Suspects in PMA cadet’s death wanted him to quit

October 1, 2019

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said suspects involved in the death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio wants him to quit from Philippine Military Academy.

In a radio interview, Año confirmed there are seven suspects in the hazing case of Dormitorio.

"They want him to quit... but he is strong. He really wants to finish and become an officer of Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said.

Dormitorio, the son of a former soldier and a relative of Año's wife, died in a hospital last week due to alleged hazing.

Aside from the used allowances and missing boots, Año said Dormitorio's upperclassmen also became mad after naming Third Class cadets Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag Jr as the persons who hurt him when he was first sent to PMA station hospital.

"PMA hospital reported to the tactical officer that there are signs of hazing... they conducted investigation and Dormitorio named who hurt him," he said.

"He cannot lie there or implement code of silence. What the upperclassmen want is for him to not speak," he added.

Año said the Baguio City Police Office will file a case within two days.

He said tactical officer has a big responsibility since he knew Dormitorio is suffering due to hazing.

"There is even a off-limits order but the problem is it was not implemented," said Año.

While he also suffered hazing as a cadet, the Interior secretary said the practice should be totally removed from the PMA.

"Hazing has nothing to do with the success of an officer," he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS