(Eagle News)–A Philippine Military Academy cadet who was found unconscious inside his barracks in Fort del Pilar in Baguio and later expired in the hospital died of injuries sustained from hazing.
This is according to the medico-legal officer who found bruises in the body of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio that are reportedly probably the result of kicks and punches, based on an ABSCBN report.
The report said authorities were already looking at three persons of interest.
The restrictive confinement of the upperclass and 4th class squadmates of Dormitorio has also already been ordered.
Dormitorio was found unconscious inside a room in Mayo Hall Annex on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
He was rushed to the PMA Station Hospital but was later declared dead.
Lawmakers called for the strengthening of the Anti-Hazing law following the 2017 death of University of Sto. Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III allegedly due to injuries sustained from Aegis Juris fraternity hazing rites.
Manila police filed a complaint for murder, obstruction of justice, perjury, robbery and violation of the antihazing law against 18 Aegis Juris members at the Department of Justice.
In 2018, the DOJ found probable cause to indict Arvin Balag, Ralph Trangia, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Hipe, Danielle Hans Matthew Rodrigo, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Marcelino Bagtang, Jose Miguel Salamat and Robin Ramos for violation of the antihazing law.
Perjury and obstruction of justice charges were also ordered filed against John Paul Solano, who initially said he merely found Castillo’s body and then later admitted he administered first-aid treatment on him after the rites.
In a decision promulgated in June, the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 14 found Solano guilty of obstruction of justice charges but cleared him of the perjury raps.
He was sentenced to a minimum of two years and four months up to four years and two months in prison.
Solano has appealed the decision.
