Dormitorio maltreated due to missing combat boots —Baguio police

Philippine Military Academy Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio, who died from injuries sustained from hazing, was maltreated by his upperclassmen because of missing combat boots, police said Wednesday.

"'Yun po ang reason... 'yung boots po belongs to Cadet First Class Sanupao. In-entrust po sa care ni Cadet Dormitorio, nawala po ito at in-endorse po ni Cadet Sanupao si Cadet Dormitorio doon sa dalawang Third Class... Cadet Imperial and Cadet Lumbag," Baguio police chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said in a phone interview.

Information about the missing combat boots was based on witnesses' accounts, Co said.

The Philippine Military Academy earlier identified Cadet Third Class Shalimar Imperial and Cadet Third Class Felix Lumbag as those with "direct participation" in Dormitorio's hazing, while Cadet First Class Axl Rey Sanupao allegedly "encouraged maltreatment" against the 20-year-old cadet.

They will be dismissed from the military school and will be facing cases for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

Dormitorio was found unconscious in his room and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital last September 18. An autopsy performed on him showed bruises on different parts of his body that were likely the result of multiple beatings.

The controversy resulted in Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista resigning as PMA superintendent. Brigadier General Bartolome Bacarro, the commandant of cadets, also quit from his post following the hazing incident.

Dormitorio was laid to rest Wednesday morning at his hometown of Cagayan de Oro City. —KBK, GMA News