MANILA, Philippines — Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago denounced Friday the death of a plebe at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) due to hazing.
Elago said she would immediately consult Cagayan de Oro Reps. Rolando Uy and Rufus Rodriguez on what Congress could do to make sure that the death of PMA cadet Darwin Dormitorio will be “fully investigated.”
“We join his parents in looking forward to an investigation into Darwin’s death. Cadets and students everywhere don’t expect deaths to happen inside schools, especially in the country’s most prestigious military academy,” Elago said in a statement.
The congresswoman said the investigation should shed light on why a healthy and fit 20-year-old who passed PMA’s strict requirements died due to “cardiac arrest secondary to internal hemorrhage after less than two months as a PMA cadet.”
Rodriguez, who said Dormitorio was his constituent from Iponan, Cagayan de Oro, also slammed the “senseless death” of the cadet and the “negligence of PMA officials.”
He said he would be filing a resolution to investigate Dormitorio’s death.
“After the investigation we expect the recommendation to file criminal charges against those involved in this heinous crime of murder through hazing,” Rodriguez said in a Facebook post, Friday.
“We will not let Darwin’s death go in vain. He is a Kagayanon and a noble young fellow with hopes and dreams just like our very own children,” he added.
Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, director of the Police Regional Office in Cordillera, earlier confirmed that Dormitorio died of hazing allegedly perpetrated by at least three fellow cadets.
READ: Police confirm PMA cadet died due to hazing
“Based on the medico-legal report ng ating Crime Laboratory, lumabas na mauling inflicted on the body [caused his death],” Dickson said.
“Lumalabas na may force na pwedeng sinuntok at sinipa [It appeared there was force inflicted which means he might have been punched or kicked],” he added, citing the injuries sustained on the right and left portions of the body and navel area of Dormitorio. /muf