Año assures no whitewashing in probe on PMA cadet’s death
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured on Tuesday that there will be no whitewashing in the investigation on the death of a 20-year-old cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) due to hazing.
“I will personally see to it that no whitewashing and cover-up will happen kaya personal kong kinausap si Col. [Allen Rae] Co ng PNP (Philippine National Police) Baguio para tiyakin na magiging totoo at patas ang PNP sa imbestigasyon sa kasong ito,” he said in a statement.
(I will personally see to it that no whitewashing and cover-up will happen; that’s why I personally spoke with Col. Co of the PNP Baguio to make sure that the investigation will be truthful and fair.)
READ: Police confirm PMA cadet died due to hazing
“Justice must be served. This is not the time for us to cover up each other’s dirt. Whoever is the perpetrator must answer for his actions,” he said.
Año added that as a former military officer, he respects the decision of PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista to resign following the death of Dormitorio on September 18.
READ: PMA chief quits post over cadet’s hazing death
“Probably for him it is the most honorable thing to do. With this, the public is assured that he cannot influence the investigation of the case in any manner,” he said, adding that authorities owe the family of the victim a proper investigation.
He said that he told Co, director of the Baguio City Police Office, that all criminally and administratively liable for the incident should be charged.
He added that changes must be instituted in the PMA’s system following the recent case and other previous incidents of hazing in the academy.
“Unfortunately, it has been a recurring theme. We should do something about it. Kailangan may gawin tayong pagbabago para hindi na ulit mangyari ang ganitong trahedya sa loob ng PMA (We should do something to change this so that this tragedy inside the PMA will not be repeated),” he said.
Part of the investigation will be on the lapses in the PMA leadership and in the cadet officer corps, according to Año. /je