PMA cadet died of hazing, officials confirm

PMA cadet died of hazing, officials confirm
PMA cadet died of hazing, officials confirm. (Image from Medium)

Philippine Military Academy officials confirmed the PMA cadet died of hazing on Wednesday, Baguio City.

Medico-legal officer of Baguio PNP released “blunt-force trauma” as Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio’s cause of death on September 18.

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In a statement earlier, PMA spokesperson Major Reynan Afan said Dormitorio died possibly because of hazing.

“Looks like hazing may be the cause of death,” Afan said.

PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista said they already have three “persons of interest,” two of which are 3rd Class cadets and one is a 1st Class cadet.

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There are three “persons of interest” in Dormitorio’s death, the police said, adding at least 20 individuals witnessed the hazing incident.

PMA cadet died of hazing

It was first reported that the PMA cadet died of cardiac arrest secondary to hemorrhage.

Cadet 4th Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio was only 20 years old and from Cagayan de Oro City.

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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.

Dormitorio was rushed to the PMA Station Hospital at around 4 am that day and was declared dead after an hour.

In 2001, two PMA cadets also died because of hazing. Cadet Edward Domingo died on March 10 due to a cardio-respiratory attack from severe injuries to his rib rage. On April 8, cadet Monico de Guzman died because of the heavy beatings from his upperclassmen.

PMA admitted that it is their tradition for freshmen to undergo the “beast attack” to teach cadets “homogeneity of the military.”

Republic Act 11053, or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, prohibits hazing commonly occurring in organizations, fraternities, and sororities.

It also prohibits hazing as part of military training.