PMA doctors under probe over Dormitorio hazing

Doctors of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) station hospital are among those being investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in connection with the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.

According to a report by James Agustin on GMA's  24 Oras, the PNP is looking into the possible criminal liability of the two doctors who oversaw the treatment of Dormitorio when he was rushed to the hospital on August 20, September 6, and September 17.

The PMA has also confirmed that Dormitorio was brought to the hospital multiple times before his death.

The cadet died on the morning of September 18.

"It is very important and relevant to our investigation dahil po titingnan natin if doon sa August 20, there was also maltreatment and who caused and did this maltreatment. And, of course, i-a-add natin sa kaso 'yun if ever na mapapatunayan natin if ever may maltreatment," said Police Col. Allen Rae Co, office director of the Baguio City Police.

One of the doctors diagnosed Dormitorio to be suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI).

"Was the diagnosis right, was he treated correctly, was he given medication correctly, and the next logical question is, why was he sent to the barracks with certainty that he was not well," Co said.

Major Reynan Afan, acting chief of the PMA public affairs office, said they have the list of personnel who will be investigated in connection with the alleged hazing.

"We have the list already of the different personnel who managed cadet fourth class Dormitorio throughout his different episodes or engagements with the hospital. Kasama 'yun sa investigation namin ngayon," Afan said.

The PNP is preparing charges for violation of the Aniti-Hazing law against two 3rd class cadets and one 1st class cadet, who were not named.  Two of the them are in the PMA stockade, while one is at the holding center, the report said.

Two more 3rd class cadets are considered persons of interest.  

Nine cadets have given statements to the police.  The PNP is also in possession of the autopsy report , but has not furnished a copy to the media.  —Julia Ornedo/LDF, GMA News