AFP: No wristwatch-giving tradition during PMA graduation

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified yesterday that there is no “tradition” wherein cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) may ask for the President’s wristwatch as a graduation gift.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the PMA cadet who did so during last May’s graduation ceremony was “reprimanded” and the military does not want to discuss it any further.

“This is not a tradition of the Philippine Military Academy. We have been there; we graduated there through the years. This is not a tradition that we uphold. This is an isolated incident. It has already been dealt with. It’s already a closed book on our side,” she told reporters.

Padilla noted that the punishment meted to the cadet was given “in accordance with the rules and regulations of how we conduct ourselves as cadets.”

She said the particular PMA cadet was the only one who asked for the President’s watch as a graduation gift.

Asked about previous incidents when former president Rodrigo Duterte gifted his wristwatch to a cadet during a PMA graduation ceremony, the AFP spokesperson said, “We do not know the details of that, whether the cadet asked for it or anything to that (extent).”

She also stressed that the issues should not be correlated and reiterated that the incident “is already a closed book.”

She added the AFP “respectfully” requests that it be “insulated from matters that are political in nature,” considering that the issue is now being talked about after Vice President Sara Duterte shared the incident at her press conference last Friday.

“We have a clear mandate to fulfill, especially concerning the West Philippine Sea, that is our focus right now. Our focus is on protecting our sovereignty and sovereign rights. The AFP is a strong, united and professional organization and we deeply appreciate your understanding in keeping us out of political discussions,” Padilla said. — Edith Regalado