PMA cadet in coma after fighting robber

 Manila, Philippines - A Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet, shot in the head by an unidentified man during a jeepney robbery Saturday, remains comatose following an operation to remove the bullet from his skull, officials said yesterday.

Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said despite the successful operation, Cadet First Class Alfonso Aviles is still in a coma at the AFP Medical Center’s intensive care unit.

“His selfless deed is an example of how our cadets and soldiers are imbued with the urgency to help others,” Burgos said.

Aviles, who was in Metro Manila to act as a proctor in Sunday’s PMA entrance examination, was in a passenger jeepney when an unidentified gunman declared the robbery at the corner of Relegado and Mindanao Avenues in Barangay Lagro at around noon Saturday.

He was on his way back to his quarters at the AFP Medical Center after visiting his family in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. He tried to grab the gun, a .45 caliber pistol, from the robber but was instead shot in the neck and head.

Burgos added that Aviles is now under close monitoring for intracranial pressure. He is also scheduled to have a blood transfusion.

 The 23-year-old Aviles is due to graduate as member of the PMA Class of 2013.

Burgos said the AFP is appealing to those who have information on the man who attacked Aviles to report to authorities.