A tragedy struck the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 2019 when a freshman cadet, Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio, died due to hazing, sending a rippling effect on the entire military organization. Half a decade since, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said “strict” anti-hazing measures are being implemented to ensure that no cadet will die due to such flawed practice of brotherhood organizations.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said this on Friday, Aug. 16, as the Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 found PMA cadets Shalimar Imperial Jr., Felix Lumbag Jr., and Julius Carlo Tadena guilty over the hazing death of Dormitorio.

“Currently, we are strictly enforcing anti-hazing policies as part of the strengthened programs within the PMA. These include intensive orientation, regular monitoring, and bolstering mental health support to help our cadets navigate their training safely and with dignity,” Padilla said.

While Padilla said that the AFP “welcomes and respects” the decision of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court, she added that the military views the development of the Dormitorio case with “optimism” as “it signifies that justice is being served for all those involved in this case.”

“The AFP remains committed to enhancing measures that protect our cadets from any form of violence, while also reinforcing the principles of unity, respect, and professionalism that should prevail within our ranks,” she stressed.

What happened in 2019?

Dormitorio, a 20-year-old plebe, was found unconscious early morning of Sept. 17, 2019 after initially complaining of stomach pains and being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI). 

He died a day later at the Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital and autopsy showed the cause of death was blunt force trauma, paving the way for the conduct of an investigation.

This eventually led to the discovery of the involvement of his upperclassmen in hazing, a practice that supposedly strengthens bond among members of brotherhood organizations due to shared pain but is widely banned in training institutions nationwide. 

According to the police, Dormitorio was subjected to hazing after he lost the boots of an upperclassman, and in an earlier incident, made to do intense exercises for spending half of his allowance days after their incorporation at the PMA.

As a result, top officials of PMA including then Superintendent and Commandant of Cadets, generals Ronnie Evangelista and Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, resigned from their posts over command responsibility. The two officials have since retired from active service.

Judge Maria-Ligaya Itliong-Rivera, of the RTC Branch 5, sentenced Imperial and Lumbag to reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment for murder and violation of Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law, as well as Tadena for violation of RA 11053.

Current PMA Superintendent Vice Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia said times have changed now and hazing is no longer being practiced in the premier military training institution.

“Rest assured that the Philippine Military Academy does not tolerate nor condone hazing, and continues to abide by existing laws in its efforts to uphold the welfare of our cadets and in producing competent military leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.