Police revealed two new suspects in the hazing of Philippine Military Academy cadet Darwin Dormitorio, while the weapon used by one of the suspects was presented to the media on Thursday.
PCol. Allen Rae Co, PNP-Baguio police director, said one of the two new suspects hurt the plebe using a flashlight with built-in taser.
"They call it a tactical flashlight with parang steel parts sa taas, which serves as a taser po. Allegedly this is the exact taser na nagamit po kay Cadet Dormitorio," he told CNN Philippines.
He added, "'Yun pong isang bago natin (na suspect), he is allegedly suspected to be the one who actually itong gadget na ito and it was witnessed by some other cadets."
[Translation: It's a tactical flashlight with a taser. That was allegedly the weapon used on Dormitorio. One of the new suspects is the one who used the gadget and it was seen by witnesses.]
PBGen. Israel Dickson, Philippine National Police Baguio City & PRO-Cordillera regional director , said the weapon was surrendered to PMA officials on September 18 and was only turned over to the police on Wednesday.
The late plebe's brother Dexter told GMA News that Darwin was electrocuted in his private parts, citing the report of a medico legal officer.
Meanwhile, Co said the second suspect kicked Dormitorio in the head.
READ: Police: PMA cadet died due to hazing
"'Yung isa po allegedly hurt Dormitorio when he was already sitting down, 'yung nanghihina na po siya. Allegedly he called the attention of Cadet Dormitorio, but instead of using his hands ay nagamit po niya ang paa niya, so it hit Cadet Dormitorio in the head," he said.
[Translation: One allegedly hurt Dormitorio when he was already weak. He allegedly called the cadet, but instead of using his hands to call his attention, he used his feet and ended up kicking Dormitorio in the head.]
The Baguio police chief said it's possible that there were a number of instances where Dormitorio was hurt by his upperclassmen.
The two new suspects were not namedand only identified as third class cadets. The list of primary suspects is now at five.
Police investigation revealed on Wednesday that Dormitorio was beaten up over missing boots that were entrusted to him by first class cadet Axl Ray Sanupao. After the combat boots went missing for a week, Dormitorio was “made to report” to Sanupao and third class cadets Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag. The three proceeded to Imperial and Lumbag’s room, where the maltreatment occurred, Co said.
Imperial, Lumbag, and Sanupao have all been dismissed from the academy.
Although the police classified the case of Dormitorio as a "maltreatment," the five suspects will be charged for violating the Anti-Hazing Law, which penalizes violators with life imprisonment and a ₱3-million fine if a hazing rite leads to death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation.
Dormitorio was initially rushed to the PMA hospital complaining of a stomach ache. He was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, and discharged after four hours, only for him to start vomiting hours after he returned to the barracks.
READ: PMA Admits ‘Blunt Force Trauma’ KiIIed Cadet, Vows Reforms
He was found unconscious the next day and was rushed back to the hospital. He was declared dead on arrival.
Co added that criminal negligence charges will also be filed against at least one PMA hospital medical officer by Monday.
Found this article interesting? Share it with your friends! 👍🏼
This article first appeared on CNN Philippines. Journalist Lauren Anuma contributed to this report.
No comments:
Post a Comment