PMA continues eviction of illegal occupants

BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) continued yesterday evicting illegal occupants of some quarters in military camps here as part of its contribution to address the lack of housing for legitimate officers, one of the key issues raised by the Magdalo group during the July 27 mutiny.

Marine Maj. Edgar Arevalo, speaking on behalf of PMA superintendent Maj. Gen. Edilberto Adan, said this is the military academy’s share "to hear and address the grievances of military junior officers during the Makati siege."

Last Friday, PMA officials cleared three more cottages in Camp Allen, a military reservation, which were reportedly occupied by relatives of retired and deceased generals.

One cabin was allegedly used by some relatives of a deceased general as a car repair shop. The other houses, which were also formerly occupied by former generals, were even rented out by their relatives to civilians.

The PMA initially cleared three cottages last month. Almost 90 percent of the 14-hectare Camp Allen is reportedly occupied by squatters.

Incidentally, three junior officers, who have long been applying for housing in different military camps here, belong to PMA Class ’95, the same batch where most members of the Magdalo group came from.

Air Force Captains Allan Arao-arao, Gerardo Gramata and Russel Duque all belong to Marilag Class of 1995 and are presently assigned at the PMA Department of Air Warfare.

Arao-arao said he has been having a difficult time finding suitable quarters for his wife and two children despite having been a military officer for seven years.

Since last year, Arao-arao has been renting a room outside the military camps.

He applied for residency last year but nothing has happened to his request up to now.

Arevalo revealed that 23 officers and 119 enlisted men assigned in the PMA are still waiting to be provided with houses.