2 of 4 PMA cadets in alleged hazing suspended over ‘physical harm’

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said two of the four cadets in the alleged hazing incident in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) have faced suspension for committing physical harm on another cadet.

“One was acquitted. Two were suspended. Yung isa naman underwent a punishment based on his participation being part of a chain of command,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press conference.

Based on the investigation, the Baguio City Police said the victim, a 4th class cadet, allegedly experienced physical abuse and humiliation from September 2 to 29, 2024.

The police noted that the “acts of maltreatment were not isolated but were carried out regularly inside the barracks.”

These alleged physical abuses, which the complainant noted as “animalistic tripping,” include punches and excessive physical training, which caused him to collapse due to exhaustion.

After allegedly receiving a heavy punch on September 29, 2024, the victim nearly lost consciousness and was admitted to a hospital in Quezon City, where he underwent medical and psychological treatment.

While imposing sanctions on the involved cadets, the PMA earlier said the reported incident was not considered as “hazing.”

PMA public information office’s Lieutenant Jesse Saludo said the incident does not fall under the definition of hazing in the Anti-Hazing Act.

“The injuries were caused by their classmates venting out their frustration on their squadmate, which because they believe the performance of their classmate is affecting their squad,” Saludo said.

“The incident does not fall under the legal definition of hazing as stated in the Anti-Hazing Act, which requires acts of violence or abuse to be committed as part of the admission process in the organization,” he added.

According to the PMA, the school has yet to obtain a copy of the formal complaint or police report filed by the victim. — BAP, GMA Integrated News