Lawmaker urges DOJ to review clearing of ex-PMA officials in Darwin Dormitorio case

Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review Baguio prosecutors' dismissal of the criminal complaints against two former Philippine Military Academy (PMA) officials over the death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio.

“Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra should review and if possible reverse the findings of his Baguio prosecutors. The Anti-Hazing Law clearly holds responsible those who could have prevented hazing activities but have not done so,” he said in a statement on Friday.

The lawmaker particularly cited PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and former commandant of the cadet corps Brig. Gen. Vicente Bacarro, who were both cleared by prosecutors for lack of probable cause.

Both officials resigned following Dormitorio's death last September.

Prosecutors dismissed complaints against Evangelista, Bacarro, and five others even as they approved charges against four cadets and three PMA hospital doctors, including the former hospital chief, over Dormitorio's death.

Rodriguez said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had found that "top PMA officials did not take action to prevent the maltreatment of Dormitorio despite complaints reaching them."

He cited NBI Regional Director Hector Eduardo Geologo as saying that the officials did not act on reports of torture and hazing.

The Dormitorios, Rodriguez' constituents in Cagayan de Oro City, have also expressed dissatisfaction with the prosecutors' resolution.

"Our family is dissatisfied with the resolution because the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 was only selectively and partially applied despite overwhelming evidence supporting our cause against all respondents,” Darwin's brother, Dexter, said in a statement.

“We only yearn for fair justice but at this juncture, we feel like we are already being deprived of it. Right now, we are still reviewing the resolution and we will consider all possible legal options.”

GMA News Online has sought comment from Guevarra.—AOL, GMA News