NBI files charges vs 2 former PMA officials

BAGUIO CITY - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cordillera has filed a separate complaint at the city prosecutor’s office against two former officials of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Wednesday.

Charges of violation of the Anti-Hazing law were filed against former PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and former commandant of cadets Brigadier Gen. Bartolome Bacarro.

NBI said the officers did not conduct any investigation or action to prevent the maltreatment against Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, who died from hazing-related injuries.

It was reported that Dormitorio was tortured by PMA upperclassmen weeks before his death.

“We deem it proper and justified by the fact that the instances of torture and hazing had been extensive and ongoing since then and were all properly and officially reported as per standard operation of the academy, but this officers neither lifted a hand nor exerted efforts for these to be investigated and implement appropriate actions if warranted so as to prevent the propagation thereof,” Atty Hector Eduardo Geologo, regional director of NBI Cordillera said.

Evangelista said he will answer the issue in a proper court.

The officers voluntarily resigned from their posts after Dormitorio's death.

• PMA head steps down over cadet's hazing death

The agency started a separate investigation on Dormitorio’s death last September 23 after Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra released a department order to conduct investigation.

“Justice Secretary ordered us to conduct parallel investigation to avoid or prevent cover up," Geologo said.

The NBI also recommended the indictment of three medical officers of PMA station hospital for medical malpractice.