The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday assured the public that justice will be given to the maltreatment victims and the families.
“But by moving forward, the AFP does not mean simply advancing and forgetting the incident. We yearn to push forth having in mind timely dispensation of justice and positive changes for the Academy,” said AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo in a statement Wednesday.
Maltreatment incidents in the PMA, the country’s premier military school, came into light after the recent death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio and hospitalization of several other cadets.
Two ranking officials of the PMA also tendered their voluntary resignation while several tactical officers and cadets were charged in connection with the incident.
“The AFP owes that to the family, the public, and you the members of media, who are watching closely. We will not renege on our commitment,” he said.
Arevalo also appealed to the public not to judge the PMA by the actions of these misfits in the Cadet Corps but instead observe the measures being implemented to remedy these errors.
“Once again, we declare that the PMA is not a perfect organization. She has in the ranks of the Cadet Corps misfits who need to be dealt with accordingly. Let’s allow to prosper the measures that have already been instituted and the changes that continue to be implemented to address the problem,” he said.
Arevalo earlier urged the public to stop spreading videos showing hazing among its cadets, as it maintained that the leadership of the PMA is doing all it can to stamp out maltreatment within its premises.
“We appeal to the public to stop spreading the video. No one benefits from it. Both the Academy and the Dormitorio family have been severely battered with the stories that came out in the news. And showing videos of the said kind will only add insult to injury. Let us allow the family and the PMA to heal and the Corps of Cadets to learn from its mistake and move on,” he added.
While the videos confirm that maltreatment incidents happen in the PMA as proven by the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, 20, last Sept. 18, Arevalo said that such act of violence does not represent the academy. The spokesperson added the PMA has demonstrated that it is serious in eradicating maltreatment from its ranks as proven by the series of cases filed against the individuals behind the death of Dormitorio and hospitalization of several others. The viral video showed two fourth class cadets who were hit in the head with a helmet, punched in the stomach and kicked by their upperclassmen.
Meanwhile, a House of Representatives lawmaker has denounced the alleged systematic violence at the PMA, and would call for one year suspension of cadets’ recruitment.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., vice chairman of the House committee on justice, made the call following a report released by internal Armed Forces of the Philippines which bared 27 more cases of “maltreatment” in the PMA.
Garbin called for the suspension of the cadets’ recruitment in light of the seeming failure of the institution to ensure the safety of the country’s future military officials.
“Suspend new cadet recruitment for just one year, during which time the AFP must overhaul the PMA of its misguided notion that hazing is necessary to mold good defenders of the people and the Constitution,” Garbin said.
He also urged the AFP’s Judge Advocate General to lead the cleansing of the PMA.
“I believe enforcing military justice and military law includes cleaning up the PMA. Civilian oversight of this cleansing is necessary and this Congress can do on behalf of the parents, families, and friends of PMA cadets,” Garbin said.
Reports said that 52 cadets were transferred to confinement while being investigated on at least 27 cases of alleged maltreatment in the country’s premier military school.
The reports added that PMA’s Department of Tactical Officers has subjected 52 cadets composed of 38 3rd Class cadets, seven 2nd Class cadets, and seven 1st Class cadets to an investigation.
It was also reported that 22 4th Class cadets were brought to different hospitals for alleged maltreatment.
“As things stand now, the PMA cannot assure parents of the safety of their sons and daughters at the academy because the 27 more cases of maltreatment of cadets are clear proof there are systemic, grave, and moral flaws in the PMA,” said Garbin, a lawyer.
Dormitorio was allegedly beaten up by fellow cadets due to missing combat boots.
Hazing, murder and torture charges were filed against seven senior cadets, two tactical officers, and three military doctors over Dormitorio’s death.
This prompted top PMA officials led by its superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista to resign after Dormitorio’s fatal hazing.
“Because the PMA has not yet learned lessons about the abhorrence of hazing, the academy should temporarily stop recruiting new cadets until such time the AFP can reasonably assure all parents and aspirants of their safety and security,” Garbin said.