The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has confirmed that a freshman cadet was assaulted in 2024 inside the academy’s barracks, with those responsible already sanctioned under military regulations.
Details of the incident only surfaced recently after the cadet filed a police blotter last week, alleging hazing and other forms of abuse between September 2 and 29, 2024. According to the report, two fellow plebes, along with one second-class and one first-class cadet, were named as suspects.
The victim was hospitalized on September 29, 2024, first at V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City, then later transferred to Fort del Pilar Station Hospital inside the PMA compound. He remained confined for eight months before being discharged on June 30. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of his injuries or the treatment that required an extended hospital stay.
Navy Lt. Jesse Nestor Saludo, chief of PMA’s public affairs office, confirmed the incident in a statement. “We confirm that a thorough and impartial investigation was completed in accordance with our military justice system. The investigation found that a fourth-class cadet was harmed by a classmate in September 2024, and the cadets involved have been sanctioned under AFP and CCAFP regulations.”
Saludo added that the cadet is currently on indefinite leave, pending discharge orders based on findings from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Board. “We respect the decision of the cadet’s family should they choose to pursue legal remedies in civilian courts,” he said.
The assault took place just a month after a Baguio court sentenced three former PMA cadets—Shalimar Imperial Jr., Felix Lumbag Jr. and Julius Carlos Tadena—to life in prison for the 2019 hazing death of Darwin Dormitorio, who died from internal injuries. Dormitorio’s death led to widespread outrage and prompted the PMA to initiate institutional reforms to eliminate hazing and abuse within its ranks.
Among those tasked to lead the reforms in 2019 was then-PMA Commandant and now Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Despite previous efforts to eliminate maltreatment within its training programs, this latest incident suggests that hazing continues to persist at the country’s top military school.
The PMA has not released the names of the involved cadets, nor specified the disciplinary actions taken, citing internal military protocols. The academy said it remains committed to upholding accountability and ensuring the safety of its cadets.
As of now, it is unclear whether criminal charges will be filed in connection with the incident.