PMA cadets in Dormitorio slay case served warrants, to remain at AFP stockade

Arrest warrants have been served against the three Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets who were charged over the hazing death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, Armed Forces spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo said on Friday.

In a press statement, Arevalo said the arrest warrants had been served by the commanding officer of the Military Police Battalion and the designated custodial officer of the AFP Custodial and Detention Center Army Major Evangeline Nualda.

He said the cadets would continue to be detained at the Camp Aguinaldo stockade where they have been placed since January 17 of this year.

Arevalo mentioned that the return or the service of warrant would be submitted to the court by today.

"The AFP further commits in the said Return through Major Nualda, 'to secure, present and/or deliver the living body of any or all the accused cadets to the proper authorities when so ordered, including pertinent orders or directives from the General Court Martial and the Honorable Court,'" Arevalo stated.

The Regional Trial Court First Judicial Region Branch 5 of Baguio City had ordered the arrest of Cadets Shalimar Imperial Jr. and Felix Lumbag Jr. for hazing and murder charges and Cadet Julius Carlo Tadena for hazing and "less serious physical injuries" charges.

No bail was recommended for the cadets, the court said.

The said court also released warrants of arrest against former PMA Station Hospital chief Lieutenant Colonel Ceasar Candelaria and medical officers Captain Flor Apple Apostol and Major Maria Ofelia Beloy who have also been charged for murder.

Upon verification with PMA, Arevalo had said only one of the military doctors who were issued arrest warrants remains at the military school.

Meanwhile, Candelaria and Apostol have already been relieved. Candelaria was re-assigned to Camp Aguinaldo while Apostol was reassigned to the Philippine Air Force.

Beloy remains at the Fort del Pilar Station Hospital (FDPSH) of the school. The PMA said Beloy has already posted bail. -NB, GMA News