PNP: Those responsible for death of PMA freshman will pay for crime

The Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City INQUIRER/EV ESPIRITU

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured Friday that those behind the hazing and death of a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) freshman cadet will be punished.

“We want to make sure that those responsible will pay for what they have done to this cadet. We do not condone hazing inside these institutions, not just in the PMA but all our training institutions in the country,” PNP deputy spokesperson Lt. Col. Kimberly Molitas said in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“We have strongly advocated naman our Anti-Hazing Law and we make sure that it does not happen in any training institution in the country,” she also said.

On September 18, fourth class cadet Darwin Dormitorio died while undergoing treatment at the PMA Hospital after reportedly vomiting profusely.

Three persons of interest — two third-class cadets or those in their second year and a first-class cadet or a graduating student — are being eyed as those responsible for the incident and may face dismissal from PMA aside from a criminal case.

“This incident is very unfortunate and we send our condolences to the family, and we want to make sure that the investigation is seen through so that whatever really happened, justice will be served,” said Molitas.

The Baguio City-based premier military institution is the training school for future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. But some of its graduates also become officers of PNP. /kga

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