PMA chief quits post over cadet’s hazing death

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista on Tuesday announced that he is quitting his post after the hazing 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.

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

“In the military tradition of command responsibility, it is now the proper time for me, as the head of this institution, together with the commandant of the Corps of Cadets to relinquish our respective positions,” Evangelista said in a press conference at PMA in Baguio City.

“I did not leave my post in the midst of crisis. I faced the problems squarely and we have finished the investigation. As I resign from my post, it is now up to the proper authority to decide on the finality of the case. That for me is the definition of command responsibility,” he also said.

On Monday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo called for the resignation of Evangelista.

While he awaits orders for his replacement, Evangelista will prepare the separation papers of four senior cadets allegedly responsible for beating up Dormitorio.

Nine other cadets are being considered as witnesses. /kga

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