New AFP chief wants change in PMA mindset

MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Noel Clement yesterday ordered a parallel investigation into the fatal hazing of a cadet of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

In one of his first actions as the new military chief, Clement ordered the AFP Inspector General to conduct “an impartial probe on what is really happening to the academy.”

“The result of the probe will be used as a tool for the crafting of policies in order to effect changes in the academy,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.

Arevalo said Clement also wanted all PMA cadets to attend an orientation “to change their mindset, specifically in all their activities and dealings inside the academy.”

Clement issued the order following the expulsion of the cadets involved in the fatal hazing of Fourth Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio last week.

“He (Clement) ordered the PMA to have the reorientation, a much needed move to change the mindset of all the cadets, especially on their outlook on the ‘Code of Omerta’,” Arevalo said, referring to the code of silence which is a way of life of every cadet in the PMA.

Clement also ordered the convening of the Board of Generals to recommend the next PMA superintendent and commandant of the corps of cadets following last Tuesday’s resignation of Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, respectively.

Evangelista and Bacarro quit their posts in the context of command responsibility over Dormitorio’s death under their watch.

Both PMA officials also announced the expulsion of the cadets involved in the hazing of Dormitorio.

Cadets Third Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag were “separated from the service” for directly assaulting Dormitorio, while Cadet First Class Axl Ray Sanupao was dismissed for encouraging the hazing.

Under the principle of command responsibility, Cadet Second Class Nikoel Termil, Dormitorio’s direct squad leader, was also dismissed.

Other cadets, as well as some active military officers and PMA hospital personnel, were suspended pending investigation of their involvement.

Dormitorio was confined at the PMA hospital twice last August complaining of stomach pains, a medical condition the doctors simply diagnosed as urinary tract infection.

On Wednesday last week, an unconscious Dormitorio was rushed to hospital where he later died from internal injuries apparently sustained during hazing.

Police said the cadets that were directly involved in the assault of Dormitorio will likely face criminal charges in violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, or Republic Act 11053.

Baguio City police director Col. Allan Rae Co said the three cadets are still under PMA custody pending their arraignment to be scheduled when the Dormitorio family returns to Baguio City to file formal charges.

The body of the fallen cadet was laid to rest in Cagayan de Oro Gardens in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday.

“We are finishing everything and waiting for the family to come here,” Co said.  

Co said their initial investigation also revealed Dormitorio was punished after he lost the combat boots entrusted to him by Sanupao.

Sanupao, the most senior of the cadets, then “endorsed” Dormitorio to Imperial and Lumbag, who in turn punched and kicked him in the abdomen.

The incident happened last Sept. 17. Dormitorio later died from his injuries. Co said Dormitorio was also maltreated on two other occasions but for different offenses. He did not elaborate. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Artemio Dumlao, Gerry Lee-Gorit, Delon Porcalla