Darwin Dormitorio slay case: 3 ex-PMA cadets guilty of murder, hazing

FILE PHOTO: The Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 5 convicted three former Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets for the 2019 hazing and death of then-Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio (in photo), his brother confirms on Friday, August 16, 2024.  The court found Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag Jr. guilty of murder and hazing while Julius Tadena was found guilty of hazing Dormitorio, who died on September 18, 2019. (Photo from his Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — Three former Philippine Military Academy cadets were found guilty over the 2019 hazing and death of then-Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, his brother confirmed on Friday.

In a Viber message sent to INQUIRER, Dormitorio’s brother Dexter said the Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 5 found Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag Jr. guilty of murder and hazing.

READ: UPDATED TIMELINE: More details of Dormitorio’s ‘hell’ days at PMA

The court also found Julius Tadena guilty of hazing his brother, Dexter added.

Dexter said their family is “grateful because justice was served.”

According to reports, Dormitorio suffered a series of maltreatments from his upperclassmen.

He died on September 18, 2019, or a day after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.

READ: 2 ex-PMA cadets get 30-day jail term for assault prior to fatal hazing

Dormitorio was no longer responsive when he was brought to the hospital, and he had bruises on different parts of his body.

Medical personnel tried to revive him, but he was later pronounced dead.