Regional Trial Court First Judicial Region Branch 5 of Baguio City released arrest warrants against the three Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets and doctors accused of killing Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.
Baguio City Police chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co confirmed the report. He said they are already coordinating with concerned agencies to arrest Cadets Shalimar Imperial Jr. and Felix Lumbag Jr., who are facing hazing and murder charges and Cadet Julius Carlo Tadena for hazing and “less serious physical injuries” charges.
Co added the PMA cadets are now under the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines general headquarters.
The court also ordered the arrest of former PMA Station Hospital chief Lieutenant Colonel Ceasar Candelaria and medical officers Captain Flor Apple Apostol and Major Maria Ofelia Beloy, who are also facing murder charges.
The warrant of arrest issued by Presiding Judge Maria Ligaya Itliong-Rivera yesterday, July 7, said military doctors Candelaria, Apostol, and Beloy could post bail at P200,000 each.
However, no bail was recommended for the cadets.
The complaints against 1st Class Cadet Rey Sanopao, 3rd Class Cadet Rey David John Volante, 3rd Class Cadet John Vincent Manalo, Maj. Rex Bolo and Capt. Jeffrey Batistiana was dismissed for lack of probable cause.
Prosecutors earlier dismissed charges against then PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro.
The complaints against 1st Class Cadet Rey Sanopao, 3rd Class Cadet Rey David John Volante, 3rd Class Cadet John Vincent Manalo, Maj. Rex Bolo and Capt. Jeffrey Batistiana was dismissed for lack of probable cause.
Also read: Another PMA cadet, a classmate of Darwin Dormitorio found dead
Baguio court orders arrest of PMA cadets, doctors over Dormitorio death
Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio experienced a 24-hour experience of hell because dying due to hazing inside the PMA.
Despite being physically fit and robust, Dormitorio’s body gave up due to the severe beating he suffered.
It was learned that a 2nd Class Cadet pulled out Dormitorio and kicked him in the head and other parts of his body while he was in severe stomach pain.
PMA cadet officials first exposed that Dormitorio lost 1st Class Cadet Axl Sanupao’s boots. Sanupao then tasked Cadet 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag to punish Dormitorio.