5 PMA cadets probed as old hazing videos surface
Hazing videos dating back two years have led to five senior cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) being ordered confined for their reported involvement.
The unreported hazing incidents of junior cadets occurred in 2017 and 2018.
PMA spokesperson Capt. Cheryl Tindog yesterday said the five cadets face investigation after they were seen in videos posted on social media.
“Last Monday night, we confined the five cadets involved at the holding center for an immediate investigation utilizing the videos as tools and bases for an impartial inquiry,” Tindog said.
She added there were six senior cadets actually involved in the unreported hazing but one of them, a senior cadet, was dismissed from the academy last year in violation of the honor code.
In two sets of uploaded videos, four plebes were seen being subjected to various forms of maltreatment by their upperclassmen, some were even heard laughing.
The plebes were reportedly punched in the stomach and hit by helmets on the head and back.
The investigation came in the aftermath of the death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio, who succumbed to injuries sustained during hazing last Sept. 28.
Seven upperclassmen involved in Dormitorio’s hazing are currently undergoing administrative dismissal proceedings.
Officials said the seven cadets will undergo a general court-martial apart from facing criminal charges.
“The PMA has time and again declared our strongest form of manifestation of serious and sincere drive to eradicate maltreatment. Cases have been filed, drastic actions are being undertaken and reforms are being instituted to rid PMA of maltreatment. We fervently hope and pray that PMA will be allowed to make good with our commitments,” Tindog said.
Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the videos only confirmed that maltreatment happens in the PMA. This maltreatment was further established in the case of Dormitorio.
Arevalo said Dormitorio’s death and other hazing cases do not represent the entire training, as maltreatment is neither sanctioned nor tolerated in PMA.
“We appeal to the public to stop spreading the video. No one will benefit from it. Both the Academy and the Dormitorio family have been severely battered with the stories that came in the news. And showing videos of the said kind will only add insult to injury,” Arevalo said.