Philippine MIlitary Academy - updates

Rappler's latest stories on Philippine MIlitary Academy

ARTICLE FINDER

PMA adopts distancing to prevent COVID-19 – and hazing

Jun 27, 2020 - 8:05 AM

The Philippine Military Academy has adopted segregation of classes since its reopening in mid-June

BEAST BARRACKS. The Philippine Military Academy's reception of this year's plebes. Photo from the PMA website.

PMA Cadet Dormitorio’s family ‘dissatisfied’ with prosecutor’s resolution

Jun 25, 2020 - 7:12 PM

'We only yearn for fair justice but at this juncture, we feel like we are already being deprived of it,' says the victim's brother after prosecutors dismissed charges against some suspects in Darwin Dormitorio's hazing and murder

DARWIN DORMITORIO. Philippine Miltary Academy Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio. Photo from Dormitorio's Facebook page

2 cadets, 3 PMA doctors indicted for murder in Dormitorio death

Jun 24, 2020 - 9:15 PM

Baguio prosecutors rule that although the doctors are not 'co-conspirators,' past cases support an indictment of murder 'by indispensable cooperation through acts of negligence'

JUSTICE FOR DORMITORIO. Darwin Dormitorio's batchmates together with college students hold a Candle Lighting vigil in commemoration with the 40th day of Darwin's death on Oct 28, 2019 held at the people's Park and PMA gate. Photo by Mau Victa/Rappler


LOOK: PMA prepares for safe arrival of incoming cadets amid pandemic

Jun 03, 2020 - 12:31 PM

The incoming members of Class 2024 are subjected to health guidelines prescribed by the national government, including quarantine and PCR tests, before they head to the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. The Philippine Military Academy is currently processing the safe arrival of the 350 incoming cadets of Class 2024 in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, under the existing COVID-19 guidelines established by the national government. Photos courtesy of TF 'Pagsundo'/WESCOM/ NOLCOM

Yet again, Duterte rewards PMA, PNPA valedictorians with house and lot

May 22, 2020 - 10:12 PM

The class goat, the least-rated cadet from either academy, gets a gun from the Commander-in-Chief

MILITARY CADETS. File photo of Philippine Military Academy cadets. PMA file photo

Meet the top 3 of PMA 'Masidlawin' Class of 2020

May 22, 2020 - 11:51 AM

Cadet 1st Class Gemalyn Deocares Sugui, Cadet 1st Class Jade Campo Villanueva, and Cadet 1st Class Jefferson Yamson Salazar are from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively

PMA TOP 3. Salutatoria Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva, Valedictorian Cadet First Class Gemalyn Deocares Sugui, and 3rd placer Cadet First Class Jefferson Yamson Salazar. Photos courtesy of PMA

Female cadet from Isabela tops PMA ‘Masidlawin’ class of 2020

May 22, 2020 - 8:59 AM

Cadet 1st Class Gemalyn Deocares Sugui and her 195 batchmates will graduate in a 'simple and private' ceremony as the Philippine Military Academy remains closed to the public – even to cadets' families – because of the coronavirus pandemic

TOPNOTCHER. Cadet 1st Class Gemalyn Deocares Sugui of Echague, Isabela, tops the Philippine Military Academy 'Masidlawin' Class of 2020. Photo from PMA

Filipina graduates with honors from U.S. Naval Academy

May 16, 2020 - 8:54 AM

‘I want to end my cadetship here at the USNA on a very good note. I’m not representing myself, I'm representing the Philippine military,’ says Midshipman First Class Mary Pauline Fornea

MISTAH. Midshipman First Class Mary Pauline Fornea, an original member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2019, receives her diploma from the US Naval Academy in Maryland. Photo courtesy of May Pauline Fornea

Parents can't attend PMA Class 2020 graduation rites on May 22

May 14, 2020 - 4:36 PM

The graduation rites will be closed to the public, according to PMA spokesperson Marine Captain Cherryl Tindog

SHAKU. The graduates throw their 'shaku' after the ceremony. Photo by Mau Victa/ Rappler

PMA to honor Lacson, Honasan

Feb 20, 2020 - 6:42 PM

This year's PMA Alumni Homecoming on Saturday is a private affair because of the threat of the COVID-19

HONOREES. Sen. Panfilo Lacson during the Senate hearing on the amendment of the Anti-Terrorism bill on October 1, 2018. Photo by Angie de Silva/Rappler

PMA alumni homecoming postponed because of novel coronavirus

Feb 06, 2020 - 7:54 AM

Originally set for February 14 and 15, the yearly event has been pushed back to February 22, says the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association

NO VISITORS. The Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City was closed to the general public for 3 weeks starting January 31 amid an outbreak of the novel coronavirus. File photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

No lockdown in Baguio City, but PMA homecoming may still be postponed

Feb 05, 2020 - 2:43 PM

A statement by defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana says Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered a citywide lockdown. Magalong, however, denies it.

More than 6000 alumni from the PMA attended the less political reunion at the Borromeo Field after the PMAAI banned adopted members from joining. Senator JV Ejercito, however, managed to join together with alumni Rogelio Dela Rosa (Class 86) and Gary Alejano (Class 95). Guest speaker Roy Cimatu (Class 1970) reminisced about the pine trees along the way and said they were more numerous and verdant then. He also called for the regreening of Baguio. Photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

Lorenzana favors postponing PMA alumni homecoming to avert novel coronavirus

Feb 04, 2020 - 11:41 PM

'We deem it prudent to avoid situations where the health and safety of our cadets, PMA alumni, and their families are put at risk,' says the defense chief

PREMIER MILITARY ACADEMY. The facade of the Philippine Military Academy building in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City. Photo by Pediapediahan/Wikimedia Commons

Murder case filed vs alleged gunman in PMA imam killing

Jan 06, 2020 - 8:28 PM

The Baguio City Prosecutor's Office identifies the gunman as 44-year-old Joselito Fernando Vidad

POPULAR IMAM. 'Doing my daily runs aboard Blacktrekker; my mechanical horse,' Bedejim Abdullah says in his caption to this photo he posted on his Facebook page on November 28, 2018. File photo from Bedejim Abdullah's Facebook page

PMA fires swimming instructors of cadet who drowned during class

Nov 22, 2019 - 2:24 PM

The civilian instructors are found guilty of 'negligence and imprudence' that led to the death of Cadet 4th Class Mario Telan Jr on November 8

PMA CAMPUS. The Philippine Military Academy, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar, in Baguio City. Photo from the PMA Facebook page

CA confirms Clement as AFP chief, Cusi as PMA superintendent

Nov 13, 2019 - 8:48 PM

AFP chief Lt Gen Noel Clement believes martial law in Mindanao should no longer be extended beyond 2019

CONFIRMED. AFP Chief of Staff Lt Gen Noel Clement (L) and PMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Allan Cusi (RA) gets CA nod. Photo by JC Gotinga/Rappler

PMA cadet drowns, found in pool after swimming class

Nov 08, 2019 - 7:48 PM

(UPDATED) Cadet 4th Class Mario Telan Jr was found 'in the 15-foot deep end of the pool' hours after his swimming class, says the Philippine Military Academy

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PMA cadet dies of cancer – spokesperson

Oct 28, 2019 - 3:09 PM

(UPDATED) Cadet 2nd Class Cedrick Gadia, from Candon, Ilocos Sur, dies of stage IV esophageal cancer on his father's birthday

PREMIER MILITARY ACADEMY. The facade of the Philippine Military Academy building in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City. Photo by Pediapediahan/Wikimedia Commons

Military chief disagrees with call to halt PMA cadet recruitment

Oct 25, 2019 - 10:21 PM

This, after a lawmaker called for a yearlong ban on freshman enrollments at the country's premier military school, following reports of 27 alleged hazing cases including some recorded on video

EFFORTS ENOUGH? Military chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement declined a lawmaker's call to halt cadet recruitment at the Philippine Military Academy, where more cases of alleged hazing were recently discovered. File photo by DARREN LANGIT

WATCH: Hazing inside the PMA barracks

Oct 23, 2019 - 4:54 PM

The videos prove that hazing 'happens in PMA,' the military says as it vows strong efforts to end the practice in the country's premier military school

HAZING IN BARRACKS. Screenshot from a sourced video showing PMA cadets hazing fellow cadets in their dormitory inside campus

7 PMA cadets tagged in Dormitorio’s death to be court martialed

Oct 15, 2019 - 4:17 PM

Court martial proceedings will run parallel to criminal cases filed against the cadets accused of hazing, torturing, and murdering the 20-year-old plebe

COMMANDANT. Brigadier General Romeo Brawner speaks to reporters at the Philippine Military Academy. Photo by Nappy Manegdeg/Rappler

When to quit

Oct 14, 2019 - 9:00 PM

When does resignation become an act of courage and a show of character? When does it serve the greater good?

Highest-ranking PMA cadet resigns over Dormitorio's death

Oct 09, 2019 - 11:01 PM

Cadet 1st Class Ram Michael Navarro, the brigade commander of the cadet corps or the class baron of PMA Masidlawin Class of 2020, cites command responsibility for his decision

'COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY.' Cadet 1st Class Ram Michael Navarro, the class baron of PMA Masidlawin Class of 2020, resigns on Wednesday, October 9. Photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

Criminal complaints filed vs 7 suspects in PMA cadet Dormitorio's hazing death

Oct 08, 2019 - 6:30 PM

'I would like to tell my brother, this is just Part I of the battle. We will not stop hanggang hindi napapanagot ang lahat,' says Dexter Dormitorio

[OPINION] Enough of words! Hazing needs no new solution

Oct 05, 2019 - 2:58 PM

Every solution to hazing at the Philippine Military Academy has been tried and found wanting. What should be done?

PMA’s record of hazing deaths

Oct 04, 2019 - 8:27 AM

(UPDATED) On the flipside of the Philippine Military Academy’s proud history of churning out military and police generals is a list of cadets who died as a result of hazing

COURAGE, INTEGRITY, LOYALTY. Cadets at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City are now honor-bound to tell if they have experienced or perpetrated hazing. Photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

Dormitorio family: We seek justice for Darwin, and more

Oct 03, 2019 - 4:31 PM

‘We also want to preserve the reputation of the institution…. This is for the kids who want to join the academy in the future,’ says the victim's brother, Dexter Dormitorio

'Have heart and soul,' new PMA chief tells cadets

Oct 01, 2019 - 9:10 PM

Rear Admiral Allan Cusi formally takes his post two weeks after the gruesome death of a cadet exposed the horrors of hazing within the Philippines' premier military school

HEART AND SOUL. Rear Admiral Allan Cusi addresses cadets as he takes over as superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on October 1, 2019. Photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

Hazing? What hazing?

Oct 01, 2019 - 8:00 PM

We are all under siege, all on trial over Darwin Dormitorio's death and over his classmates’ and schoolmates’ participation in the everyday steps that led him to his last vomit

Police probe shows Dormitorio’s life inside PMA was living hell

Sep 30, 2019 - 7:19 PM

(UPDATED) Darwin Dormitorio was barely 21 days at the Philippine Military Academy when his ordeal – which would lead to his death – started

[OPINION] Fraternities are insecure men’s clubs

Sep 30, 2019 - 3:30 PM

You have to be really insecure to want to sacrifice your morals just to make sure you have a safety blanket when you graduate

Brawner bares tools in PMA war vs hazing: Mental healthcare, honor code

Sep 28, 2019 - 12:10 PM

Brigadier General Romeo Brawner, the new PMA Commandant of Cadets, bares his battle plan for his so-called war against hazing

COMMANDANT. Brigadier General Romeo Brawner speaks to reporters at the Philippine Military Academy. Photo by Nappy Manegdeg/Rappler

AFP appoints new PMA superintendent, commandant of cadets

Sep 26, 2019 - 7:30 PM

Brigadier General Romeo Brawner Jr 'declares war on hazing,' as the military grapples with the fatal hazing of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio

WAR ON HAZING. Brigadier General Romeo Brawner Jr has been appointed PMA Commandant of Cadets to replace Brigadier General Bartolome Bacarro who resigned. Brawner says he is "declaring war on hazing." File photo by Martin San Diego/Rappler

'Darwin died a hero': Hundreds pay tribute to PMA cadet in Cagayan de Oro

Sep 25, 2019 - 7:11 PM

Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio dreamed to be a 'changemaker' – a dream many believe he achieved in his brief life

soldiers from the Army's 4th Infantry Division carries the casket of Philippine Military Academy Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio at the Cagayan de Oro Gardens in Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

3rd PMA cadet hospitalized for suspected hazing – AFP

Sep 25, 2019 - 10:23 AM

Three cadets from the country's premier military school are recuperating from injuries sustained from suspected hazing

PREMIER MILITARY ACADEMY. The facade of the Philippine Military Academy building in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City. Photo by Pediapediahan/Wikimedia Commons

PMA identifies suspects in cadet's hazing death

Sep 24, 2019 - 3:10 PM

(UPDATED) Cadets 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag – Darwin Dormitorio’s superiors – are expelled from the Philippine Military Academy

PREMIER MILITARY ACADEMY. The facade of the Philippine Military Academy building in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City. Photo by Pediapediahan/Wikimedia Commons

PMA chief resigns over death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio

Sep 24, 2019 - 12:08 PM

(6th UPDATE) 'In the military tradition of command responsibility, it is now the proper time for me, as the head of the institution, along with the Commandant of Cadets, to relinquish our respective positions,' says PMA Superintendent Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista

PMA OFFICIALS. PMA Superintendent Lt Gen Ronnie Evangelista (middle), Commandant of Cadets Brig Gen Bartolome Vicente Bacarro (right), and Assistant PMA Superintendent Nestor Florente Rayos (left) hold a press conference at PMA Longayban Hall on September 24, 2019. Photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

Darwin Dormitorio's lifelong dream was to join the PMA

Sep 23, 2019 - 10:42 PM

(UPDATED) 'Ever since we were in high school, all he ever wanted was to be in the PMA, and he pursued that with passion,' says one of Darwin Dormitorio's friends

LIFELONG DREAM. Friends say it was Darwin Dormitorio's lifelong dream to join the Philippine Military Academy. Photo provided by Ashley Ravidas

2 more PMA cadets injured from hazing

Sep 23, 2019 - 8:17 PM

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says he has ordered the Philippine Military Academy superintendent to have all plebes examined for bruises or any indication that they may have been subjected to hazing

NO HAZING. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says hazing is not the way to toughen up cadets, adding he himself never went through it as a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy. File photo by Mau Victa/Rappler

CDO congressman calls for resignation of PMA head over hazing death

Sep 23, 2019 - 5:31 PM

The House is set to conduct a probe into the death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio, per resolution filed by AKO Bicol Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr

Duterte angered by deadly hazing at PMA

Sep 23, 2019 - 5:10 PM

Malacañang laments the 'failure in leadership' at the Philippine Military Academy which it blamed for the death of 20-year-old Darwin Dormitorio

CLASS 2019. President Duterte salutes the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy in May 2019.

2 more PMA cadets persons of interest in hazing death

Sep 23, 2019 - 2:11 PM

The 3 other cadets initially considered as persons of interest are now classified as suspect

PMA CADET. The Philippine Military Academy and police are probing the death of 20-year-old Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio. Photo from the Facebook page of Darwin Dormitorio

AFP to 'let wheels of justice turn' in death of PMA cadet

Sep 22, 2019 - 2:26 PM

AFP chief General Benjamin Madrigal says all those involved in the death of PMA Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio 'will be made accountable'

PMA CADET. The Philippine Military Academy and police are probing the death of 20-year-old Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio. Photo from the Facebook page of Dormitorio

PMA admits ‘blunt force trauma’ killed cadet, vows reforms

Sep 20, 2019 - 3:13 PM

‘PMA did not only lose a cadet. PMA also lost sons. One son passed away and the other sons may have lost their way,’ an official statement says

File photo from PMA's website

PMA cadet died due to hazing – police

Sep 20, 2019 - 11:14 AM

Police say there are 3 persons of interest in the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio

PMA CADET. The Philippine Military Academy is probing the cause of death of 20-year-old Cadet 4th Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio. Photo from the Facebook page of Darwin Dormitorio

PMA plebe dies due to internal bleeding

Sep 19, 2019 - 11:53 AM

(3rd UPDATE) The Commandant of Cadets has ordered the restrictive confinement of the upperclass and 4th class squadmates of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio in line with the investigation into his death

PMA CADET. The Philippine Military Academy is probing the cause of death of 20-year-old Cadet 4th Class Cadet Darwin Dormitorio. Photo from the Facebook page of Darwin Dormitorio

Erwin Tulfo declared persona non grata by PMA alumni

Jun 10, 2019 - 6:50 PM

The alumni association of the Philippine Military Academy 'strongly condemns the boorish behavior and derogatory remarks' of Erwin Tulfo against Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista

APOLOGY ACCEPTED. Malacañang says Filipinos should move on from Erwin Tulfo's (left) remarks against Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista. File photo by Angie de Silva/Rappler

Duterte Youth's Cardema to remain on PMA board of advisers

Jun 04, 2019 - 7:53 PM

PMA Spokesman Major Rey Afan says Duterte Youth Chairman Ronald Cardema will keep his seat in the school's board of advisers 'per protocol'

ADVISER. Duterte Youth Chairman Ronald Cardema (front, 3rd left) stands as a member of the Philippine Military Academy over a decade after he was dismissed as a cadet. Sourced photo

Malacañang on Erwin Tulfo: He apologized, let's move on

Jun 03, 2019 - 1:55 PM

Though saying it's still on Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista's side, the Palace says it accepts Erwin Tulfo's apology

Photo by Angie de Silva

Dismissed as PMA cadet, Duterte Youth's Cardema now school's adviser

May 31, 2019 - 8:46 PM

He has been named to the Philippine Military Academy board of advisers in his former capacity as National Youth Commission chairperson

ADVISER. Duterte Youth Chairman Ronald Cardema (front, 3rd left) stands as a member of the Philippine Military Academy nearly a decade after he was dismissed as a cadet. Sourced photo