AFP spox says 3rd PMA cadet hospitalized for ‘maltreatment’

Meanwhile, he added that the AFP leadership accepted the resignation of Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, the Commandant of Cadets, from their posts. (File Photo: PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY/Facebook)

MANILA — A third cadet of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), who has shown signs of maltreatment, was taken to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center in Quezon City for treatment.

“A third cadet arrived in V. Luna (the old name for the AFP Medical Center) yesterday (Monday). He also bore signs of maltreatment though he is ambulant,” AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters Tuesday.

He added that the cadet was first confined due to pains similar to gastroenteritis but when symptoms persisted, he was brought in again, during which, possible maltreatment markings were seen during examination.

Also, the two cadets who were earlier hospitalized are in stable condition and responding to medication and “coherent” when visited by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other ranking military officials Monday, he added.

Arevalo also said that later in the day, one of the two cadets was transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center at Global City, Taguig for further tests.

Meanwhile, he added that the AFP leadership accepted the resignation of Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent and Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, the Commandant of Cadets, from their posts.

“The Superintendent’s announcement came in the heels of the PMA’s completion, by his direction, of the reports that are necessary for the filing of criminal and administrative cases to prosecute those who are liable and culpable in the demise of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio,” Arevalo added.

Dormitorio, 20, died on September 18 from injuries received due to alleged maltreatment.

The selection and issuance of orders designating the replacement of these officials are now being prepared, the AFP spokesperson stressed.

“There will be no whitewash as had been shown in the cross-section in the ranks and positions of both military officers who were relieved from their positions. There will be no cover-up as may be gleaned from the number and classes of cadets who were meted steep penalties such as separation from the Academy — without prejudice to other cases that may be filed against them,” he added.

Arevalo said that the AFP will not stop until cases are heard and verdicts are rendered against those who are guilty of the crime in varying degrees of liability and culpability, and that justice has been rendered to the victims.

“We will once again revisit existing cadet regulations and policies to eliminate maltreatment from recurring in the Academy,” he added.