The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) confirmed on Wednesday that the videos circulating on social media showing actual incidents of cadet hazing are “authentic” as it asked the public to allow the institution to correct its mistake and implement reforms.
The videos showing cadets being hazed apparently by their upperclassmen surfaced just weeks after the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio in a hazing and the admission of four other cadets in two hospitals in Metro Manila due to similar causes.
“The videos circulating in the social media involving our cadets were taken in 2017 and 2018. However, the offenses they committed were not, and never, will be sanctioned or tolerated in PMA,” said PMA Spokesman Capt. Cheryl Tindog.
“Last Monday night, we confined the five cadets involved at the holding center here in PMA for an immediate investigation utilizing the videos as tools and bases for an impartial inquiry. The other cadet in one of the videos was already discharged last year from the academy due to Honor Code violation,” she added.
In the aftermath of Dormitorio’s death wherein at least six cadets were held directly responsible and at least six senior and junior military officers named as indirectly accountable, the inspector general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted a wide-ranging investigation at the academy.
The inspector general noted in its report that it found out at least 27 more cases of hazing.
Tindog said the country’s premier military school is working to stop hazing.
“The PMA has time and, again, declares our strongest form of manifestation of serious and sincere drive to eradicate maltreatment. Cases have been filed, drastic actions are being undertaken, and the reforms are being instituted to rid PMA of maltreatment. We fervently hope and pray that PMA will be allowed to make good with our commitments,” she said.
In the House of Representatives, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. asked the academy to temporarily stop its admission of cadets because it has not learned yet its lessons from cases of hazing.
“Suspend new cadet recruitment for just one year, during which time the AFP must overhaul the PMA of its misguided notion that hazing is necessary to mold good defenders of the people and the Constitution,” he said in a news statement.
On the other hand, the National Union of Students of the Philippines said the videos, and even reports, about hazing in the PMA proved that Dormitorio’s case is not an isolated one.
“Given this grim reality, the union will not allow these same abusive elements to enter our schools to ensure our ‘safety and security.’ Moreover, we shall block their insistent demand to teach us ‘discipline and right conduct’ through the revival of mandatory ROTC,” it said.
Tindog admitted that the PMA itself is “battered with the stories that came out in the news.”
“We pray that the Filipino people will allow PMA to heal and the Corps of Cadets learn from its mistake,” she said.
“The PMA is not a perfect organization. She has in the ranks of the Cadet Corps misfits who need to be dealt with accordingly. We are working very hard in order for the measures and reforms being instituted to prosper and for the changes to continue to be implemented in order to address the problem from the roots,” Tindog added.
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