DND welcomes resignation of top PMA officials over fatal hazing

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday commended the decision of Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista and Brigadier General Bartolome Bacarro to resign from their respective posts in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) following the death of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio.

“By choosing this course of action, Lieutenant General Evangelista and Brigadier General Bacarro have shown the hallmark of true leadership as espoused by the military profession and the principle of command responsibility,” DND spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

“We wish both gentlemen the best in their future endeavours,” Andolong added.

Evangelista was the superintendent of the military school while Bacorro was the commandant of cadets.

Outgoing Armed Forces chief General Benjamin Madrigal already accepted the resignation of Evangelista and Bacorro.

It was on September 18 when the 20-year-old PMA cadet was found unconscious in his room and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

An autopsy conducted on Dormitorio showed bruises on different parts of his body that are probably the result of him being punched and kicked several times.

The military school already identified the individuals who were involved in the maltreatment against Dormitorio.

Four cadets will be removed from the PMA following the unfortunate incident. —NB, GMA News