7 cadets in PMA hazing death face court martial

BAGUIO CITY -- Seven cadets tagged as suspects behind the hazing death of Cdt. 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio will face a general court martial (GCM) for violation of the Articles of War.

Quoting the Judge Advocate General’s Office, Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., commandant of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet Corps, here said the seven would be charged for violating Articles of War 97 or conduct prejudice to good order and military discipline.

The seven cadets who were also charged last week of murder and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law are Cdt. 1st Class Axl Rey Sanupao; Cdt. 2nd Class Christian Zacarias; Cdt. 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial Jr.; Cdt. 3rd Class Felix Lumbag Jr.; Cdt. 3rd Class Julius Carlo Tadena; and Cdt. 3rd Class Rey David John Volante.

The provision, described as “General Article”, is defined: “Though not mentioned in these articles, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, and all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the military service, shall be taken cognizance of by a general or special court martial according to the nature and degree of the offense, and punished at the discretion of the court.”

He said appropriate administrative charges have also been filed against the cadets and officers tagged in Dormitorio’s death.

The officers charged before the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office, were Maj. Rex Bolo, Cpt. Jeffrey Batistiana, Cpt. Flor Apple Apostol, Maj. Maria Ofelia Beloy and Lt. Col. Cesar Candelaria.

Since the cadets are facing administrative charges at the PMA, they will have to undergo court martial proceedings, Brawner said.

“The procedure for a general court martial has started but first, its members should be determined,” Brawner said.

Brawner said the GCM would be supervised by the military’s general headquarters, headed by Armed Forces Chief Noel Clement.

Brawner said he was not sure whether the officers included in the case would also be tried by a military court.

Cpt. Cheryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson, said the officers’ cases would be evaluated and decided on by the Armed Forces of the Philippines while those of the cadets would be handled by the PMA.

Tindog said the five officers were detained at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the main military headquarters while the cadets were here at Fort del Pilar.

Dormitorio died in September after a series of physical abuses by his upperclassmen against him at the PMA based on police investigation.
After Dormitorio’s death, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered all freshmen cadets to undergo physical examination.

Four plebes were rushed to various hospitals – three at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City and one at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City for severe bruising.