Murder raps mulled vs PMA ‘torturers’

MANILA, Philippines — On top of possible violations of the Anti-Hazing law, the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) suspected of assaulting plebe Darwin Dormitorio could face murder charges, police said yesterday.

Baguio City police chief Col. Allan Rae Co said there was “evident premeditation to harm” Dormitorio that qualifies the charge of murder.

“There are two possibilities. We will be filing a case of violation of the Anti-Hazing law and/or murder. It’s either of the two (charges),” Co said. 

Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ephraim Dickson added that they are considering filing the charges on Monday.

“Hopefully, Monday or Tuesday. We are waiting for the (Dormitorio) family to file the necessary case against those involved in violation of the Anti-Hazing law,” Dickson said.

Dickson added the PMA hospital personnel who attended to Dormitorio’s injuries will be charged for negligence.

Dormitorio was confined at the PMA hospital twice last August complaining of stomach pains, a medical condition the doctors simply diagnosed as urinary tract infection.

An unconscious Dormitorio was rushed to the hospital on Sept. 18, where he later died from internal injuries apparently sustained during hazing.

A total of six cadets are considered suspects in Dormitorio’s death last week, with police now wrapping up the investigation. 

The sixth suspect allegedly kicked the hurting Dormitorio out of bed.

Three of the suspects – Cadet 1st Class Axl Rey Sanopao and Cadets 3rd Class Felix Lumbag and Shalimar Imperial – were initially identified by the Baguio City Police as having assaulted Dormitorio.

Police have yet to identify the three other suspects, one of them reportedly used a taser flashlight on the victim’s genitals.

PMA officials confirmed Dormitorio succumbed to internal injuries due to hazing.

Co said they are trying to account for all the injuries sustained by Dormitorio by mapping out a timeline of his death. 

“We know (the suspects) who assaulted Dormitorio and we are doing a timeline as much as possible up to the last minute (he died), the work is almost finished,” Co said.

Police said at least 10 witnesses have identified those involved in the hazing.