Commandant resigns amid PMA cadet hazing

Commandant resigns amid PMA cadet hazing
Commandant resigns amid PMA cadet hazing. (Image from CNN Philippines)

PMA cadet hazing update: The commandant of the Philippine Military Academy formally resigned from his post after one of their cadets died due to hazing.

In a press briefing this Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista presented his resignation to the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

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“In the military tradition of command responsibility, it is now the proper time for me as the head of the institution together with the commander of cadets to relinquish our respective positions,” Evangelista told reporters in Baguio City.

“I will do all that is left to be done while I wait for the official orders,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, the commandant of cadets, said the cadets would be punished in connection with the incident.

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A total of four cadets were for separation from service: two third class cadets for direct participation in “maltreatment”; one first class cadet for encouraging the abuse and Dormitorio’s squad leader.

His platoon leader and company officer will face suspension, among others.

Several officers at the PMA station hospital were also under investigation.

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“[A]ng commanding officer ng Philippine Military Academy station hospital na si Col. Caesar Candelaria at attending physican… na si Capt. Flor Apple Apostol,” said Bacarro.

(The commanding officer of Philippine Military Academy station hospital Col. Caesar Candelaria and the attending physican Capt. Flor Apple Apostol.)

PMA cadet hazing

On September 18, Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio died of “blunt-force trauma” from the hazing.

Reports said the PMA cadet was found unconscious inside his room, Wednesday morning. He was reportedly suffering from stomach ache and was vomiting profusely while at his barracks in Fort del Pilar.

The cadet was a member of the Echo Company and PMA Class of 2023, which was incorporated only last July 27.

Just this week, Armed For­ces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo confirmed that three other PMA cadets are now confined to the hospital after suffering hazing.

Arevalo said that the two Philippine Miltary Academy cadets who experienced hazing are currently recovering at the hospital.