BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 has handed down a guilty verdict for two former Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets on charges of murder, while a third was found guilty of hazing, in connection with the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio in September 2019.
Former PMA Cadets 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial Jr. and Felix Lumbag Jr. were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, for violating the Anti-Hazing Law. Meanwhile, Cadet 3rd Class Julius Carlo Tadena was found guilty of hazing.
The court, presided over by Judge Ligaya Itliong-Rivera, also ordered Imperial and Lumbag to pay P185,000 in damages, while Tadena was ordered to pay P2 million in damages.
This verdict follows an earlier ruling by the Municipal Trial Court for Cities Branch 1 in Baguio, which in 2023 convicted Tadena of lesser physical injuries and Cadet 2nd Class Christian Zacarias of slight physical injuries.
The Case of Cadet Darwin Dormitorio
Cadet Darwin Dormitorio, then 20 years old, died on September 18, 2019, due to severe injuries inflicted by his upperclassmen at the PMA. His death brought to light the brutal hazing practices within the academy, sparking widespread outrage and leading to significant reforms in the military institution.
Dormitorio’s case became a symbol of the fight against hazing in the Philippines, as his tragic death highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of the Anti-Hazing Law and greater accountability within military and academic institutions. The incident prompted investigations and legal actions that culminated in the recent convictions, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of hazing and the importance of protecting the rights and lives of cadets and students across the country.