In an unprecedented move, Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista, PMA superintendent, yesterday resigned his post due to command responsibility over the death of a first year cadet.
Aside from Evangelista, Brigadier General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Commandant of Cadets, also quit his post just as he identified the cadets considered as suspects in the hazing death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.
“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 Cadets to relinquish our respective positions,” Evangelista said in a press conference at the PMA in Baguio City.
“I did not leave my post in the midst of crisis, I faced the problem squarely and we have finished the investigation. As I resign my post, it is now up to the proper authority to decide on the finality of the case,” he noted, saying no one pressured him to resign.
Evangelista said he already tendered his resignation to General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., outgoing Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In a text message to reporters, Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, revealed that Madrigal has accepted the resignation of Evangelista and Bacarro.
It marked the first time in recent memory that a ranking officer of the PMA resigned over command responsibility.
Four upperclassmen of Dormitorio were dismissed over their alleged involvement in the plebe’s death, Bacarro said, as the PMA finished its administrative investigation on the case.
Cadet 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag, squad mates of Dormitorio, were ordered separated from service due to “direct participation;” Cadet 1st Class Axl Rey Sanupao, who is a graduating student, for “encouraging maltreatment;” and Cadet 2nd Class Nickoel Termil, Dormitorio’s direct squad leader, for command responsibility.
Meanwhile, ordered suspended were Cadet 1st Class Irvin Sayud, Dormitorio’s platoon leader; and Cadet 1st Class Elbert Lucas, his commanding officer.
Cadet 1st Class Christian Correa, floor inspector, was meted with a class 1 punishment which is equal to demerits and confinement.
On the other hand, four academy officers were relieved from their posts since September 20.
They are Major Rex Bolo and Captain Jeffrey Batistiana, Dormitorio’s senior tactical officer and tactical officer, respectively; Colonel Cesar Candelaria, commanding officer of the PMA Hospital; and Captain Flor Apostol, the physician who had attended to Dormitorio.
Evangelista asserted that Dormitorio “did not die in vain” as adjustments were made to ensure that the incident will not be repeated.
“PMA will take this opportunity to cleanse its ranks and further professionalize every aspect of education and training,” he said.
Dormitorio died on September 18 after complaining of stomach ache and vomiting. Police investigation said he died of cardiac arrest secondary to internal hemmorage.
Aside from this, two more batch mates of Dormitorio were hospitalized at the V. Luna General Hospital in Quezon City after complaining of stomach ache.
Arevalo earlier confirmed the two cadets were “maltreated.” However, he said they have yet to determine if it was related to Dormitorio’s case. (Martin Sadongdong)
