Cadet’s stepping down as PMA brigade commander after hazing death ”commendable”: AFP

October 11, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) '' takes cognizance of and with admiration'' the action by Cadet First Captain Ram Michael Navarro who stepped down Brigade Commander of the Cadet Corps of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) following alleged hazing that caused the death of a plebe last month.

“The AFP takes cognizance of and with admiration the voluntary relinquishment by Cadet First Captain Ram Michael Navarro of his post as the Brigade Commander of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP) of the Philippine Military Academy,” said Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, in a statement Friday.

“His selfless act of stepping down (not resigning) from his esteemed and coveted position of leadership in Cadet Corps as the 'Baron' is not only commendable, but worthy of citation and emulation,” he said.

“As a future officer under training who will be graduating in a few months, this unilateral gesture by Cadet Navarro manifests how deeply he has imbibed, this early, the tenets of command responsibility,” he added.

Amid the recent controversial hazing incidents that caused the death of Cadet Fourthclass Darwin Dormitorio, Arevalo said “the PMA will continue to be an institution committed to character development.”

Navarro was replaced by Cadet First Class Marion Dale Cordova on Wednesday night. Navarro remains a PMA cadet. Robina Asido/DMS