3 hospitalized PMA cadets in stable condition —AFP spox

The three other Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets who were hospitalized for suspected maltreatment while inside the military school are already in stable condition, a military spokesman said Wednesday.

"Sa ngayon po tatlo ang naka-confine na Fourth Class cadets sa ospital na hinihinalang biktima ng maltreatment," Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Ang isa po sa tatlong iyon, naka-confine po sa St. Luke's Global, ang dahilan po ay may mga further test na kailangang gawin sa kaniya... Ang importante po, all of them are in stable condition," he added.

Arevalo said the one who was transferred to a private hospital has to undergo pancreatic tests.

On Monday, Arevalo said two cadets were rushed to the hospital for suspected maltreatment. The following day, he said another plebe has been hospitalized.

These came following the death of a PMA cadet, Darwin Dormitorio, due to injuries sustained from hazing activities inside the PMA, an incident that prompted PMA Superintendent Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista to quit his post.

The three hospitalized cadets were able to speak with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and outgoing AFP chief of staff General Benjamin Madrigal, Arevalo said.

The military officials assured that the PMA will shoulder all the medical expenses of the hospitalized cadets.

Arevalo said Lorenzana has ordered the PMA to inspect the bodies of all the cadets to see if there are any signs of physical abuse.

Breaking the silence

Based on military school tradition, cadets who break the so-called "code of silence" are mocked and tagged as "squealers," according to Arevalo.

Addressing the concern that this code may hinder investigations on possible maltreatment in military training, he said that a paradigm shift is needed to let the truth prosper.

"Kailangan i-orient po natin sila na ang isang bagay na bawal, na labag sa batas ay hindi pwedeng panahimikan," he said.

"Ang sinuman na magsasalita hinggil sa isang bagay na bawal ay hindi natin dapat i-look down or i-look with disdain, lalo pa natin siyang igalang sapagkat nanindigan siya sa isang bagay na dapat ituwid." —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News