Arevalo: Hazing is not part of PMA culture

After some ranking officials admitted that they experienced hazing too during their time in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said hazing is not a part of the institution’s culture.

“Hindi po ito kultura sa PMA,” Arevalo said in an interview on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali on Tuesday.

The PMA is investigating the hazing-related death of 20-year-old PMA Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, who was found unconscious in his room and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital last September 18. It was confirmed days later that he had died of injuries from hazing.

“Paulit-ulit nating binabanggit na ito pong pangyayaring ito ay deviant behavior of some of these erring cadets,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo said that the institution never allowed the practice of maltreatment in the academy. However, he admitted that PMA, like any other organizations, is not perfect.

Pressed on the fact that some top officials have acknowledged that they were also hazed, Arevalo argued that it might be a matter of perspective.

“I do not know exactly kung sino 'yung mga binabanggit ninyo, but ang isa po sa kanila narinig ko na ang sabi ay ito naman ay po ay naaayon na rin sa pagkakaintindi at pang-unawa ng isang kadete. Ibig sabihin, meron po sa isang tao ang turing niya doon ay maltreatment, sa isang tao naman po it could be corrective measures. Depende po 'yan,” Arevalo said.

However, Arevalo said some might have crossed the line from what is authorized in instilling discipline.

“Malamang, baka nasobrahan nila and they crossed the line and they have gone to this extent,” he said.

Arevalo added that such conduct will not be tolerated.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said that he went through hazing when he was a cadet at the PMA, indicating that the experience shaped him into the officer that he is today. 

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Class of '83, also said on Tuesday that a student died of hazing-related injuries when he was at the academy. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News