Interventions in place to curb violence among cadets: PMA

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte waves to the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Mabalasik’ Class of 2019 during the commencement exercises at Fort General Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City on May 26, 2019. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — Measures are in place to prevent hazing and other forms of maltreatment of cadets, an official of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) said Saturday.

“We see to it that the PMA will be extending necessary assistance and required interventions. We are not only looking at the symptoms but also at the root cause,” PMA spokesperson Capt. Cheryl Tindog told reporters.

She said the academy wants to boost the honor system among the cadets and officials to prevent malpractices inside the camp.

She also acknowledged the importance of character development among cadets for the academy to be free from violence.

The PMA has also hired additional guidance counselors and psychologists who will look after the mental well-being of the cadets.

Asked on developments on the probe of hazing cases, she noted that they are “finishing the investigation and now waiting for the result”.

The accused cadets and PMA officials are now at the holding center of the General Headquarters of the PMA in Camp Aguinaldo where they are undergoing court-martial proceedings.

In September last year, Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio was maltreated by his fellow cadets, which eventually resulted in his death.

Dormitorio’s family filed murder, hazing and torture charges against several PMA cadets and tactical officers over the incident.