By Jigger J. Jerusalem .
THE family of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet who died as a result of hazing said they are relieved with the resolution that recommends the filing of cases against those responsible, but they are also dissatisfied with it.
In a phone interview Friday, Dormitorio’s elder brother Dexter said they are relieved that after nine months, a resolution has finally been issued.
“We are grateful that the prosecutors concurred with our position regarding the Anti-Hazing Law being applicable in PMA,” he said, although he emphasized that “our enemy is hazing and not the institution.”
But he said, “Our family is dissatisfied with the resolution because the Anti-Hazing law of 2008 was only selectively and partially applied despite overwhelming evidence supporting our cause against all respondents.”
“We only year for fair justice but at this juncture, we feel like we are already being deprived of it,” he said.
Dexter said they were not “content” with the resolution, adding that there might be a “lack of appreciation” of the law which the family based their complaint on. He did not elaborate.
“Right now, we are still reviewing the resolution and we will consider all possible legal options,” he added.
Meanwhile, members of the Ateneo school Xavier University (XU) here staged a gathering outside the campus Friday to express their support on the filing of the charges against some persons alleged to be responsible in the death of Dormitorio.
Against the backdrop of a black streamer that calls for justice for Dormitorio’s death, a handful of XU students, faculty and staff stand far apart from each other while holding roses and saying prayers.
Nestor Banuag Jr., director for Student Social Involvement and Advocacy Program at XU, said the gathering is part of the university’s effort in engaging in solidarity with Dormitorio and his family and all the victims of hazing,torture and other forms of physical maltreatment and abuse.
“This is part of our effort seven months ago. We are seeking justice for Darwin,” Banuag said.
In its recent statement, XU said: “We stand firm in our aim to abhor any act of abuse and violence, prevent torment-induced deaths, and to promote a non-aggressive campus, so as to serve justice to our fellow Atenean.”
Dormitorio was a senior high school graduate at XU before he enrolled at the PMA.
In a 66-page resolution signed by a three-man panel of prosecutors in Baguio City, criminal charges for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law were filed against two PMA cadets and murder charges against three medical officers of the academy.
