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Another probe on PMA ‘maltreatment’ cases underway: AFP
AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a radio interview on Wednesday, said the order came from newly-appointed AFP chief-of-staff, Lt.
Gen. Noel Clement. (Photo: PTV/Website)
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct another investigation on the alleged maltreatment that resulted in the death of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio and similar cases.
AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a radio interview on Wednesday, said the order came from newly-appointed AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement.
“Ipadadala niya (Lt. Gen. Clement) yung Inspector General ng Armed Forces of the Philippines upang magsagawa ng independiyente, malalaliman at impartial na imbestigasyon hingil sa nangyari dyan sa PMA (Lieutenant General Clement will send the Inspector General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct an independent, thorough, and impartial investigation on what really happened at PMA),” he said.
He added the Inspector General can also help the AFP in the formulation of policies and regulations that could prevent such practices from happening again.
“Pagkatapos ng imbestigasyon, kanyang mga rekomendasyon sa ating kasalukuyang AFP of Chief-of-Staff, upang maipatupad at magkaroon po tayo ng karampatang pagbabago sa PMA (After the investigation, the IG will give his recommendations to our current AFP of Chief-of-Staff so that essential reforms will be implemented at the PMA),” Arevalo said.
Arevalo also cited the need to orient PMA cadets to make them report to authorities any wrongful or illegal actions.
“Kasama po ‘yan sa values at training na dapat (mailagay) sa isipan ng ating mga future officers na ang isang bagay na mali, ang isang bagay na ilegal ay hindi dapat pagtatakpan (Part of their values formation and training is to impart to them, as future officers, that something that is wrong and illegal should not be covered up) ,” he said.
Arevalo added anybody who speaks up against something unlawful should not be looked down upon. Instead, they should be respected because they are pushing to correct something that is wrong.
On Monday, two cadets earlier hospitalized were found in stable condition and responding to medication and “coherent” when visited by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other ranking military officials. On the same day, a third PMA cadet who also showed signs of maltreatment was taken to the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City for treatment.
The PMA and the Philippine National Police have earlier conducted a probe on Dormitorio’s death.
Reports said the results of the PMA investigation led to the dismissal of two cadets from the academy, who were tagged as the primary suspects in the incident.
The incident also prompted the resignation of PMA Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and Corps of Cadets Commandant, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro from their posts.
