Merchant marine academy president charged with hazing

Philippine Merchant Marine Academy president Rear Adm. Virginio Aris and seven other school officials have been charged before the Sandiganbayan with violations of the Anti-Hazing Law for the death of an 18-year old probationary midshipman during initiation rites at the PMMA campus in 2001.

Charged with Aris were Lt. SrG. Dominador Bayabos, Lieutenants junior grade Manny Ferrer, Ronald Magsino, Kruzaldo Mabborang and Gerry Doctor, and Ensigns Dennis Velasco and Dominador Operio.

Assistant Special Prosecutor Lalaine Benitez said the PMMA officials failed to take any action to prevent the hazing and the infliction of psychological and physical injuries on Fernando Balidoy, leading to his eventual death.

Benitez recommended a P40,000 bail for each of the accused.

The eight were earlier accused by the National Bureau of Investigation of involvement in the hazing of Balidoy in the PMMA campus in San Narciso, Zambales on May 2, 2001.

Balidoy, along with 26 other PMMA midshipmen of class 2005, underwent indoctrination and orientation in the school campus.

It was reported that Balidoy collapsed during the orientation and reportedly succumbed to cardio-respiratory arrest.

However, an autopsy conducted by the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory showed that Balidoy died from massive pulmonary hemorrhage.

Further examination revealed that Balidoy also sustained injuries to his kidneys, spleen and pancreas.

The results of the crime laboratory examination prompted the victim’s father to seek NBI assistance. — Mike Frialde