By SHERWIN DE VERA
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — In an August 4 ruling, the Municipal Trial Court for Cities Branch 1 found Philippine Military Academy Cadet 3rd Class Julius Carlo Tadena and Cadet 2nd Class Christian Zacarias guilty of slight and less serious physical injuries, respectively.
The charges stemmed from the hazing that resulted in the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio. The 20-year-old cadet died on September 18, 2019, due to severe injuries inflicted by his upperclassmen.
Judge Roberto Mabalot also directed Tadena and Zacarias to serve 30 days of aresto menor and pay P100,000 moral damages and P50,000 attorney’s fee.
Members of the Military Police Battalion from Camp Aguinaldo Custodial Detention Center escorted them. Major Evangeline Nualda of the custodial team said the two have been staying in the facility since January 14, 2020.
Meanwhile, the court found military doctors Lt. Col. Ceasar Candelaria, former PMA Station Hospital chief, and medical officers Capt. Flor Apple Apostol and Maj. Maria Ofelia Beloy, not guilty of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
“How Darwin Dormitorio was not properly diagnosed or treated properly in the hospital or PMASH by the attending doctors was not established by the prosecution,” the decision said.
‘Partial justice’
Dexter, Dormitorio’s brother, said he had mixed feelings about the decision.
He explained that the guilty verdict for the involved cadets proved, saying that while it is a lesser crime, it proved what they did to his brother. While he is disappointed with the acquittal of the military physicians, he said he respects the court’s decision and processes.
Asked if he was satisfied with the sentence, he told the media that the punishment handed to Tadena and Zacarias was not proportional to what they did to his brother.
“In terms of punishment hindi siya sapat pero I know may proceedings pa sila sa court martial, so baka may iba pa silang makikitang corresponding punishment pero hindi na kasi kami aware doon,” he told the media after the promulgation.
(In terms of punishment, it may not be sufficient, but I know they still have proceedings in the court martial, so they might face other corresponding punishments. However, we are not aware of those anymore.)
He added that they will continue to pursue the other cases related to his sibling’s death, calling the conviction “partial justice.”
He stated that charges against those involved in the death of his brother for violating the Anti-Hazing Law, Anti-Torture Act, and murder are still ongoing in the Baguio RTC Branch 5. They also filed an administrative case before the Professional Regulation Commission against the implicated doctors.
Dexter said they are grateful to the PMA leadership “for allowing the full investigation” of the case.
He also called on PMA officials and physicians to ensure the health and well-being of the cadets and not to allow another hazing and death to happen. # nordis.net
