7 PMA cadets involved in Dormitorio’s death to undergo court martial proceedings — Brawner

The seven cadets who are suspects in the death of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio will undergo court martial proceedings, Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Corps of Cadet commandant Brigadier General Robert Brawner Jr. said Tuesday.

"Yes, kailangan nilang dumaan sa court martial para sa administrative case. Mukhang ang ipa-file sa kanila is Articles of War 97... conduct unbecoming of a gentleman, an officer..." Brawner told reporters.

Brawner said the seven cadets would be under the custody of the military school while court martial proceedings are ongoing.

"Basta nagsimula na 'yung procedure para magtawag ng general court martial, kailangan ng order kasi 'yun eh tapos kailangang i-determine kung sino 'yung members ng general court martial," Brawner explained.

Meanwhile, PMA spokesperson Captain Cheryl Tindog said the seven cadets would be placed under court martial proceedings as they are covered by the regulations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Tindog said the cases of the five other suspects, which include two tactical officers and three PMA physicians, are still being evaluated by the AFP if they will also be placed under court martial proceedings.

On October 8, the bereaved family of Dormitorio filed a complaint against the suspects involved in the death of the 20-year-old cadet.

Cadet First Class Axl Rey Sanopao, Cadet Second Class Christian Zacarias, Cadet Third Class Shalimar Imperial, Cadet Third Class Felix Lumbag, Cadet Third Class Julius Carlo Tadena, Cadet Third Class Rey David John Volante and Cadet Third Class John Vincent Manalo were slapped with murder raps as well as cases for violating the Anti-Hazing and Anti-Torture laws.

Tactical officers identified as Major Rex Bolo and Captain Jeffrey Batistiana were also charged as "accomplices" in violating the Anti-Hazing Law and "principals" in violating the Anti-Torture Law. They were also charged for dereliction of duty.

Captain Flor Apple Apostol, Major Maria Ofelia Beloy and Lieutenant Colonel Cesar Candelaria, physicians at the Philippine Military Academy, were also charged for dereliction of duty.

Charges for supposedly being "accomplices" in violating the Anti-Hazing Law were slapped against Apostol and Beloy.

Meanwhile, Dormitorio's family believed that the three doctors should all be indicted as "accessories" in violating the Anti-Torture Law.

The plebe was declared dead on arrival at the hospital on September 18. The autopsy showed that the victim bore severe bruises in the different parts of his body. Dormitorio was also hurt using a flashlight with built-in taser.

Police investigation also revealed that his upperclassmen had been mistreating him since August.

Dormitorio suffered his worst blows on September 17, police said. — RSJ, GMA News