Police to get to bottom of Dormitorio hazing 'up to the last second' of his life

The Baguio City Police is committed to get to the bottom of the hazing incident that took the life of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio "up to the last second" of his life.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV on Sunday, Baguio City Police chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said that while they avoid making prejudgments on the case, they will ensure that all incidents that led to Dormitorio's death will be accounted for.

"We will try to account for the last minute, and if possible up to the last second, 'yung huling araw ni Cadet Dormitorio sa mundo. Kumbaga, 'yung huling araw niya na nabubuhay," he said.

"We are fairly confident that we have accounted for all the injuries na na-sustain ng kanyang katawan. And 'yung up to the last minute halos, 'yung huling araw niya na nabubuhay. That's why lumabas itong mga pangyayari na ito," he added.

Last week, the Baguio City Police came up with a timeline of Dormitorio's last days and final hours at the PMA.

The timeline showed that after months of repeated maltreatment by his fellow cadets that led to his hospitalization from August 20 to 27, Dormitorio suffered his worst blows on September 17.

Dormitorio died in the early hours of September 18.

Co said seven cadets and two medical personnel at the PMA remain as suspects in Dormitorio's case.

The Baguio City police is likewise in talks with Dormitorio's family through his brother as to what cases will be filed against the suspects.

"We are envisioning 'yung sa filing ng cases ay tatlo ang pinag-aanuhan natin, 'yung violation ng Anti-Hazing Law, murder at Anti-Torture Law," he said.

"We were assured by the leadership of the Philippine Military Academy that they will be able to hold them until such time na dadalhin natin sila sa kustodiya ng korte. That is, kung may warrant of arrest," he added. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News