Murder raps filed vs hazing suspects

BAGUIO CITY — Police filed murder charges here yesterday against four Phi-lippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets for the fatal hazing of Cadet Fourth Class Edward Domingo last March 10.

Charged with murder and violation of the anti-hazing law were Cadets Third Class John Louie Ong, Michael Perang, Willard Aperoche and Omar Julius Labajo.

The Baguio City police conducted a four-day investigation on Domingo’s death. The results of the probe were contained in a 24-page case folder which it forwarded to City Prosecutor Erdolfo Balajadia yesterday.

Many believe, however, that the suspects would plead guilty of homicide and not murder by claiming that Domingo’s killing was not intentional.

Domingo died of cardio-pulmonary arrest after succumbing to blows below his rib cage from his fellow cadets who subjected him to traditional military welcome rites. The rites were meant to celebrate his passing his academic subjects.

During the rites, Domingo was hit with a lead pipe in the buttocks eight times and punched in different parts of the body. All these, according to one PMA official, were meant to celebrate Domingo.

The suspects were in fact Domingo’s original classmates for Class 2003. Domingo was delayed a year after he flunked some subjects.

One PMA official said one of the suspects in the killing – John Louie Ong – was even Domingo’s best friend.

Domingo’s case file includes three pages of photographs taken from the scene of his brutal hazing. It also contains the results of an autopsy done on his body, showing the injuries he sustained in the buttocks, right leg, and internal organs.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said he has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into Domingo’s death. And no less than President Arroyo has condemned the PMA for allowing hazing practices to continue.

"Hazing is a criminal offense. I want maltreatment, hazing and all other forms of illegal punishment stopped at once in the academy," she said.

Sen. Loren Legarda, for her part, expressed sadness for Domingo’s death, especially since it happened after the victim passed all his subjects.

"I strongly urge the students of the PMA and other fraternities to put an end to hazing. Use your strength to build up our nation, not to snuff out the lives of your fellow young people," she said. – With Delon Porcalla