AFP appeals to public not spread video of alleged hazing by PMA cadets

October 24, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) appeals to the public not to spread the video of alleged hazing involving cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

“We appeal to the public to stop spreading the video. No one benefits from it. Both the Academy and the Dormitorio family have been severely battered with the stories that came out in the news. And showing videos of the said kind will only add insult to injury,” Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman said in a statement Wednesday.

“Let us allow the family and the PMA to heal and the Corps of Cadets to learn from its mistake and move on. But by moving forward, the AFP does not mean simply advancing and forgetting the incident. We  yearn to push forth having in mind timely dispensation of justice and positive changes for the Academy,” he said.

“The AFP owes that to the family, the public, and you the members of Media, who are watching closely. We will not renege in our commitment,” he added.

Arevalo said the videos confirm that maltreatment happens in the PMA.

“That has been established especially in the case of Cadet Dormitorio. Much as we mourn his death, we maintain that these cases do not represent the entire PMA training. And maltreatment is neither sanctioned nor tolerated in PMA,” he said.

“Through the help of PMA authorities, cases have been filed.  The PMA Superintendent and the Commandant of Cadets have thereupon relinquished their respective positions with the Cadet Corps Commander following suit,” he added.

Arevalo said  “the new PMA leadership has taken over and enforced stringent measures and implemented drastic moves to rid PMA of maltreatment. Let’s afford  them time to make good with their actions.”

“The AFP leadership under Lieutenant General Noel Clement has manifested its direct and unequivocal message through a three-star General. The Inspector General of the AFP was sent to conduct a nonsense, thorough, and impartial investigation. The latter has outlined his findings and recommendations. Let the new PMA leadership comply to those,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS