Año supports resetting date of PMA Alumni Homecoming

February 5, 2020

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año expressed support on the suspension of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) homecoming amid the threats from the 2019 novel coronavirus.

"I support the suspension of PMA Homecoming to a later date. The novel coronavirus threat has not been contained yet and we have to exercise on the side of caution or prudence," said Año.

"You know the current situation. And it's the call of the Mayor and PMA Superitendent; and I support their positions," he added.

Año said if the Feb. 15 homecoming will be postponed, the new date will be determined by the Philippine Military Academy and the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association.

"The three-week suspension is enough as it complies/satisfies with the incubation period," he said.

"If ever the Alumni Homecoming is postponed, it's the PMAAA and PMA who shall determine the new date," he added.

Año also confirmed reports that a wife of a PMA official showed symptoms of novel coronavirus days after traveling to Hubei, China.

Año noted results from Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) confirmed that the wife of the PMA officer is negative from nCov.

"The result from RITM shows that the wife of the officer is negative from coronavirus," he said.

Capt. Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson said that she doesn't have information about the wife of the PMA officer who allegedly showed symptoms of nCov.

Tindog said they are still waiting for the decision of the PMAAA about the alumni homecoming.

"I don't have information that there is such case. The homecoming is for the PMA Alumni Association's decision. We are just waiting for their advice," she said. Robina Asido/DMS