PMA cadets ostracize Cudia even as case undergoes review

A dismissed Philippine Military Academy cadet is now being ostracized by fellow cadets after he was found guilty of lying about the reason for his tardiness in one class. 

"Walang kakausap sa kanya at walang lalapit. Pinaparamdam sa kanya ng cadet corps that they do not accept him anymore; that he does not belong here [in PMA] anymore," Major Agnes Lynette Flores, PMA public affairs office chief, told GMA News Online in a phone interview on Sunday.

 

She said that the ostracism against Cudia started last Friday.

 

The PMA First Class cadet was expected to graduate this year. Cudia was at the top of his Navy class, a Deputy Baron and in the top 2 of the Class of 2014, his sister Avee said on Facebook. 

 

Cudia was two minutes late for a class, for which he was initially meted 11 demerits and 13 hours of touring. However, the cadet appealed the sanctions, saying the professor of the previous class had dismissed him and other cadets late. 

 

Cudia's appeal was heard by PMA's Honor Committee, which later tagged the cadet's statement as a lie since he was not technically dismissed late but was made to wait after class to received a document from his professor.

 

Cadet Cudia's story was posted on Facebook and was shared more than 17,000 times before it was taken down. 

 

As the cadet's story became public, AFP chief General Emmanuel Bautista ordered the country's premier military school to reopen Cudia's case.

 

However, even with the review of the case, Flores said Cudia had been "administratively discharged" or dismissed from the academy after the PMA superintendent recommended his "separation from the service."

 

The PMA has already recommended Cudia removed from the list of members of the cadet corps.

 

Ostracism in the PMA

 

A source who refused to be named, but who attended the military academy, told GMA News Online in a separate interview that those ostracized by their fellow cadets were "treated like dogs." 

 

"Bawal siyang kausapin at may sarili siyang lamesa pag kumakain… In essence, para siyang aso," the PMA alumnus said.

 

The source, likewise, noted that only one PMA alumnus managed to graduate after being ostracized.  

 

Meanwhile, another PMA alumnus questioned the academy's ostracism of Cudia even as the AFP chief asked to reopen the cadet's case. 

 

"Dahil may reinvestigation, 'ika nga nila dapat tigil-putukan," retired military officer Dado Enrique of PMA Class'83 told GMA News Online in a phone interview. 

 

Upon learning of Cudia's case on Facebook, Enrique visited the cadet in PMA, where he was able to talk to Cudia.

 

Appeals by Cudia, Enrique

 

According to Major Flores, Cudia and Enrique filed separate cases before the PMA's Honor Committee.

 

Cudia filed honor cases against the nine cadets who voted to dismiss him from the academy. Enrique has meanwhile filed cases against 11 cadets that he alleged of violating the Honor Code specifically the provision on cheating and lying.

 

"May certain things na dapat ay hindi nangyari. Ang botohan ay 8-1. May isang dissenting vote pero napressure daw 'yung isang kadete nung mag-chambering [ang mga miyembro ng komite]. One vote is enough to acquit the cadet," Enrique said.

 

The PMA confirmed that there are pending appeals from Cudia and Enrique. 

 

"Anyone can render a report to the Honor Committee [but he] must have personal knowledge and [must have] observed the offense reported," she opined. 

 

"[The cases] will be heard following the proper procedure," Major Flores added. 

 

Since the case of Cudia's case has been remanded to the PMA, the academy's board of officers has assigned senior officers to look into the case.

 

"If ever may ma-offer na new evidence si Cadet Cudia, then the case may be remanded to the Honor Committee based on new evidence," Flores said. 

 

While the case is still in the hands of PMA officials, it is still a waiting game for Cudia. — JDS, GMA News