Military bishop urges steps to address PMA hazing

The country’s military bishop has joined the outrage over the death of a 20-year-old plebe due to hazing.

Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines expressed sadness that hazing has been “embedded” in the military training.

He said the notion is that the notorious culture will add to their camaraderie as uniformed men “and to say the least the machismo”.

“No to hazing, no to death,” Florencio said.

The Philippine Military Academy had relieved some officers allegedly responsible for the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.

PMA chief Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista also resigned from his post citing “command responsibility”.

The cadet from Cagayan de Oro was reportedly hospitalized three times before dying from hazing injuries on Sept. 18.

Bishop Florencio is hoping the PMA take necessary steps to address hazing and prevent another casualty.

“I wish that this should be properly dealt with because we are losing lives unnecessarily with the deaths of cadets, who could be at the service of people and country,” he said.

Malacañang has earlier condemned the incident and assured justice for the victim and his family.