Palace says Evangelista resignation ‘right step’ in upholding PMA integrity

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang commended Tuesday the resignation of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista over the death of a freshman cadet due to hazing, calling the move a “right step” to preserving the integrity of the state’s premier military school.

Evangelista, citing the “tradition of command responsibility,” stepped down as PMA head following the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.

The 20-year-old cadet, who would have been a member of PMA Class 2023, died last September 18 from cardiac arrest secondary to internal injuries due to supposed maltreatment within the campus.

READ: PMA chief quits post over cadet’s hazing death

“We welcome this development as a right step towards upholding the integrity of the PMA as the country’s premier military institution and recognize the same as a form of genuine delicadeza on the part of Lt. Gen. Evangelista,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

On Monday, Panelo called for the resignation of Evangelista.

READ: Panelo says PMA head should resign over hazing death

Resigning with Evangelista is the commandant of the Corps of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro.

Panelo then assured Dormitorio’s family that there will be “no whitewash” in the ongoing investigation of the incident. /kga

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