DILG dismisses 2 PNPA cadets

Interior and local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. announced yesterday the dismissal from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite of senior cadets involved in the Jan. 5 fatal hazing of cadet Geoffrey Andawi.

Lina in a press conference identified the cadets who were found administratively guilty as Cadets 3rd class Jimory Pulquiso and Darwin Balugong. The dismissal of the cadets was recommended by a DILG fact finding committee tasked to looked into the fatal hazing. Government prosecutors investigating the case also found probable cause for the filing of homicide and violation of the anti-hazing law against the suspects.

"We have to give justice to the victim", Lina said.

Investigation revealed that Andawi got the ire of his upper classmen after he misbehaved during a field trip to Baguio city. Upon return to the academy in Silang, Cavite, Andawi was summoned to the comfort room at the third floor of the Academy where Bulquiso and Balu-ang took turns in beating him.

In the course of the hazing the victim collapsed and hit his head at a steel pipe in the urinal causing his death. — Perseus Echeminada