Hazed PMA cadet asked for comfort food in a letter to his parents

Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, the Philippine Military Academy plebe who eventually died after being allegedly hazed by upperclassmen, wrote a letter while in hospital in which he asked his parents for some comfort food.

"Ma and Pa, na-ospital pala ako ngayon pero okay lang naman na po ako. Bumisita 'yung mga kasama ko dito so nag-request ako na mag-send ng message," a report by Marisol Abdurahman on GMA 7's 24 Oras Weekend translated Dormitorio's handwritten message.

"Miss ko na kayo lahat lalo na si Brando (Darwin's pet dog). Kung bibisita si Ate at Kuya, papadala lang po ako money and pizza and doughnut hehe," the letter read.

The cadet, however, did not mention why he was confined.

"Okay lang po ako dito sa PMA, nakapag-adjust na ako sa mga walang tulog na mga panahon," he said.

His brother said he visited him at the PMA Station Hospital on August 25. He was complaining of chest and stomach pains then.

It was confirmed that Dormitorio had been confined thrice before his demise on Wednesday.

"More or less, before he was brought to the hospital, this is where most of the maltreatment happened. Actually the maltreatment happened before he was brought to the hospital in the morning of September 17," Police Colonel Allen Rae Co, Baguio City Police Office Director, said.

Grieving

The Dormitorio family demanded justice for Darwin's death.

"Devastated, still very sad. Si mama umiiyak from time to time. 'Yung tatay ko rin kahit ano, usually di mo naman nakikitang emotional 'yan pero may outburst din siya," said Dexter, Darwin's brother, in an exclusive interview with Abdurahman.

"According to the academy, no cover-ups pero I cannot help but also speculate," he added.

His father was determined to bring those responsible to justice.

"Enforce the law, full force of the law. So, titingnan ko kung ma-relieve silang lahat," retired Colonel William Dormitorio said.

On Sunday, three upperclassmen were considered suspects in Darwin's hazing death. Two were in the stockade while the third was in a holding center.

Darwin's friends shed tears as they visited his wake in Cagayan De Oro City.

His pet, Brando, was also present. — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News