Taboo tradition
“Hazing molded me.” This is what a high-ranking police officer said amidst an ongoing investigation into a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet's death that points to hazing as the cause. He admitted that he went through hazing and that “the experience shaped him into the officer that he is today.” But he immediately clarified that hazing was not tolerated especially today with the anti-hazing law. That's just his personal perception. Sen. Dela Rosa has chimed in, saying that if universities have hazing, what more the PMA.
A cadet has died. His parents will have to bury him. All because of a tradition that while it is considered taboo when squarely asked seems to be accepted by those who have survived it. I cannot help but think that the hazing that goes on at the PMA is part of a hallowed tradition, with an alumnus thankful that it actually molded him as a person and an officer. A "code red" as borrowed from a good movie. So I guess Darwin Dormitorio's molding was too much, or he just couldn't handle it? I don't believe anyone from the Aegis Juris fraternity came out with a statement like that in the wake of Horacio Castillo III's death by saying they became a better person and lawyer.
As of this writing, PMA superintendent Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista and commandant of the Corps of Cadets Brigadier General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro have resigned from the PMA because of command responsibility over the hazing that occurred under their leadership. Dela Rosa has commented that “another good officer's career was wasted.” I agree. Because of the hazing that occurred under their watch. Because of the seemingly continuing tradition of subjecting lowerclassmen to pain, humiliation, and suffering. The PMA community must show outrage and indignation at this incident.
It's been 18 years since a cadet has died at the PMA, a record not to be proud of. Four cadets have now been kicked out, I assume for being responsible for the death of Dormitorio. I hope they undergo criminal proceedings as well. Some are being considered as witnesses. If hazing suspects in universities can be tried and convicted, what more the PMA? The PMA also relieved the commander of the station hospital. His participation and his fate have yet to be determined. All these lives and careers now destroyed, again because of a taboo tradition that is seemingly allowed to continue. I hope everyone sees the flawed perception here.
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