PMA cadet detained for ‘maltreating’ plebe

BAGUIO CITY — A cadet third class of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is locked up at the city jail to face charges for hitting and causing serious physical injuries to a plebe.

A case of serious physical injuries was lodged against Cadet 3rd Class Geraldo Domingo Alvarez with the city prosecutor’s office last Wednesday for harming Cadet 4th Class Edmond John Pangilinan.

Maj. Edgard Arevalo, PMA spokesman, said the academy has recommended Alvarez’s dismissal.

"We detained (Alvarez) there so as to allow him to be present during the hearings for his administrative case and to send a strong signal to other cadets that these cases will not be tolerated," he said.

According to Arevalo, Alvarez repeatedly hit Pangilinan’s thighs with his knee, causing serious hematoma, last Nov. 7. The plebe did not sustain injuries on other parts of the body, contrary to reports, he said.

Pangilinan was earlier confined at the PMA Station Hospital and failed to attend his classes for nearly a month. He has gone on sick leave.

The incident of "maltreatment," as the PMA described it, was reported only this week since Alvarez had to face the administrative charges against him.

The PMA’s Battalion Board found Alvarez guilty of violating "cadet regulations pertinent to maltreatment" and recommended that he be "separated" or "discharged" from the academy.

Alvarez, the board said, "went beyond what is expected of him in disciplining his subordinate."

"Sometimes, cadets have this feeling of quick fix. This should not be. In disciplining, we need to have patience," it added.

Recently, the Baguio City court convicted two former PMA cadets, John Louie Ong and Michael Perang, of homicide for the death of plebe Edward Domingo two years ago.

Arevalo said the PMA has been relentless in its drive to eliminate such incidents. "The academy’s message to the cadets is clear, direct and unequivocal," he said.

He added, "PMA authorities will not hesitate much to their consternation, to file administrative charges and even criminal cases against erring cadets, if it need be, should they violate cadet regulations, especially the ones dealing on maltreatment."