Flashlight taser used to hurt Dormitorio —police

A flashlight with built-in taser was used against Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio when he underwent hazing allegedly in the hands of his upperclassmen.

This was confirmed by Baguio City police chief Police Colonel Allen Co to GMA News Online on Thursday. According to Co, police already got hold of the instrument that will be used as an evidence on the case.

Dormitorio was found unconscious in his room and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital last September 18. An autopsy performed on the 20-year-old PMA cadet showed bruises on different parts of his body that were likely the result of multiple beatings.

Dormitorio was laid to rest on Wednesday in his hometown in Cagayan de Oro City.

In a separate press conference, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement was asked about the instrument used against Dormitorio.

He underscored that those kinds of instrument was not part of the equipment being provided to cadets.

"The taser or whatever hindi 'yun ini-issue sa cadete para for whatever purposes..." Clement said.

"In the past, we have actually been conducting what we call a showdown inspection for probable equipment that will be used for maltreatment... so the cadets will actually be obliged to give out all these equipment so that ma-prevent na natin na magagamit sila for maltreatment," he added.

Co said five suspects would face charges for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

The police said Dormitorio was maltreated for losing the combat boots of one of his upperclassmen. —LDF, GMA News