CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez lauded the recent conviction of three former cadets from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for the hazing-related death of Darwin Dormitorio in 2019.
He described the court’s decision as a long-awaited victory for justice, though he wished for a quicker resolution.
Darwin Dormitorio, a young cadet from Cagayan de Oro, tragically lost his life due to hazing.
His death highlighted the brutal practices some cadets endure at the PMA.
Rodriguez expressed hope that the case would catalyze change within the military institution.
Rodriguez urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, General Romeo Brawner, to implement a strict ban on hazing within the PMA.
Brawner, having previously served as a commandant of cadets at PMA, has been known to oppose hazing, making him a potential ally in this cause.
The representative emphasized the importance of holding PMA leadership accountable.
He suggested that the PMA superintendent, commandant of cadets, and junior officers be liable for any hazing incidents, using Dormitorio’s tragic case as a learning point to safeguard future cadets.
Dormitorio, who died on September 18, 2019, was set to graduate last year.
His untimely death led to the resignation of then-PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, who was the commandant of cadets at the time. They resigned due to “command responsibility.”
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Despite Bacarro’s eventual promotion within the AFP, Rodriguez opposed it, urging the Commission on Appointments to reconsider.
Nevertheless, Bacarro’s promotion was confirmed, a decision Rodriguez found disappointing.
Rodriguez argued that PMA officers who were directly responsible should have faced charges alongside the convicted cadets.
He pointed out the negligence of both the officers and the military doctors who failed to recognize Dormitorio’s distress during his ordeal.
Evidence showed that Dormitorio was admitted to the PMA hospital a day after the hazing began.
He suffered from multiple injuries, including soft tissue hematomas and burns, but these signs were overlooked by the authorities.
On September 6, Dormitorio returned to the hospital for respiratory issues and additional injuries.
Rodriguez emphasized that these warning signs should have been enough to alert PMA doctors and superiors, prompting them to take action.
Rodriguez reminded that under the anti-hazing law, institution officers who are aware of hazing, yet fail to act, share the guilt of those directly involved.
He called for stricter enforcement of this law to prevent further tragedies in the PMA and other institutions.
The conviction of the three cadets marks a significant step in the fight against hazing. However, Rodriguez insists that more must be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all cadets, urging the AFP and PMA leadership to act decisively and end this harmful tradition once and for all.
