Seven cadets described as suspects in the hazing death of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio of Cagayan de Oro will undergo court-martial proceedings, Philippine Military Academy Corps of Cadet commandant Brig. Gen. Robert Brawner Jr. said Tuesday.
“They need to undergo court martial for the administrative case against them; it looks like they will be charged with violating Articles of War 97 (particularly on) conduct unbecoming of a gentleman, an officer,” Brawner told reporters.
The composition of the court-martial, which would include a law member, also a military officer, has not been announced, pending the order creating the general court-martial.
Brawner said the seven cadets would be in the custody of the military academy in Baguio City while the court-martial would be conducted.
PMA spokesperson Captain Cheryl Tindog, for his part, underlined the seven cadets would be placed under court-martial proceedings as they were covered by the regulations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Tindog said the cases of the five other suspects, who include two tactical officers and three PMA physicians, were still being evaluated by the AFP if they would also be placed under court-martial proceedings.
On Oct. 8, Dormitorio’s family filed a complaint against the suspects involved in the death of the 20-year-old cadet.
The suspects were identified as: Cadet First Class Axl Rey Sanopao, Cadet Second Class Christian Zacarias, Cadet Third Class Shalimar Imperial, Cadet Third Class Felix Lumbag, Cadet Third Class Julius Carlo Tadena, Cadet Third Class Rey David John Volante and Cadet Third Class John Vincent Manalo.
They are facing murder charges as well as cases for violating the Anti-Hazing and Anti-Torture laws.
The tactical officers were identified as Major Rex Bolo and Captain Jeffrey Batistiana, charged as “accomplices” for violating the Anti-Hazing Law and “principals” for violating the Anti-Torture Law.
They were also charged with dereliction of duty.
Captain Flor Apple Apostol, Major Maria Ofelia Beloy and Lieutenant Colonel Cesar Candelaria, physicians at the Philippine Military Academy, were also charged with dereliction of duty.
Charges for supposedly being “accomplices” for violating the Anti-Hazing Law were raised against Apostol and Beloy.
Dormitorio’s family believed the three doctors should all be indicted as “accessories” for violating the Anti-Torture Law.
The plebe was declared dead on arrival at the hospital on Sept. 18, with the autopsy showing the victim bore severe bruises in the different parts of his body.
Police investigation also revealed Dormitorio’s upperclassmen had been mistreating him since August.