Latest news with #PhilippineMilitaryAcademy
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- GMA Network
PMA punishes cadets accused of maltreatment
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has punished four of its cadets allegedly involved in maltreating another cadet. 'The involved cadets were given appropriate punishment depending on the degree of their participation. PMA has strict zero tolerance on maltreatment and hazing — no place in the institution,' said PMA spokesperson, Lt. Jesse Saludo. The complainant has sought the help of police and said he was beaten multiple times in 2024, allegedly inside the barracks in most instances. The last incident, which allegedly occurred on September 29, 2024 left him hospitalized at the V. Luna Medical Center for several days. 'Binubugbog daw siya especially kapag nasa loob ng barracks. Nung September 29, hindi na niya nakayanan kaya siya nag-report. Na-ospital siya, na-transfer siya sa V. Luna, where he was confined there for several days,' PMAJ. Marcy Marron, spokesperson for the Baguio City Police, said. On June 30, 2025, the victim was discharged officially from the PMA due to medical reasons. NOT HAZING? The PMA conducted its own investigation and confirmed that the four cadets, indeed, hurt the complainant. However, the academy clarified that what happened could not be considered hazing under Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. 'Injuries were caused by the classmates venting their frustration on their squadmate because they believed the performance of their squadmate is affecting their squad. The incident does not fall under the legal definition of hazing,' Lt. Jesse Saludo, PMA spokesperson, said. "It falls on 'conduct unbecoming' because they are inflicting physical farm to a fellow soldier," Saludo told Marisol Abdurahman on a 24 Oras report on Monday, July 7, 2025. The PMA said it respects the family's decision to pursue legal charges and recognizes the victim's right to take the case to civilian court. 'The victim still retains his right to file a case in civilian court should he choose to do so,' Saludo said. The complaint is now with the Baguio Prosecutor's Office, where authorities are reviewing whether the case merits the issuance of arrest warrants.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- GMA Network
PMA sanctions cadets accused of maltreatment
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has sanctioned four of its cadets allegedly involved in maltreating another cadet. 'The involved cadets were given appropriate punishment depending on the degree of their participation. PMA has strict zero tolerance on maltreatment and hazing — no place in the institution,' said PMA spokesperson, Lt. Jesse Saludo. The complainant has sought the help of police and said he was beaten multiple times in 2024, allegedly inside the barracks in most instances. The last incident, which allegedly occurred on September 29, 2024 left him hospitalized at the V. Luna Medical Center for several days. 'Binubugbog daw siya especially kapag nasa loob ng barracks. Nung September 29, hindi na niya nakayanan kaya siya nag-report. Na-ospital siya, na-transfer siya sa V. Luna, where he was confined there for several days,' PMAJ. Marcy Marron, spokesperson for the Baguio City Police, said. On June 30, 2025, the victim was discharged officially from the PMA due to medical reasons. NOT HAZING? The PMA conducted its own investigation and confirmed that the four cadets, indeed, hurt the complainant. However, the academy clarified that what happened could not be considered hazing under Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018. 'Injuries were caused by the classmates venting their frustration on their squadmate because they believed the performance of their squadmate is affecting their squad. The incident does not fall under the legal definition of hazing,' Lt. Jesse Saludo, PMA spokesperson, said. "It falls on 'conduct unbecoming' because they are inflicting physical farm to a fellow soldier," Saludo told Marisol Abdurahman on a 24 Oras report on Monday, July 7, 2025. The PMA said it respects the family's decision to pursue legal charges and recognizes the victim's right to take the case to civilian court. 'The victim still retains his right to file a case in civilian court should he choose to do so,' Saludo said. The complaint is now with the Baguio Prosecutor's Office, where authorities are reviewing whether the case merits the issuance of arrest warrants.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- GMA Network
PMA punishes 4 cadets but says incident not 'hazing'
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) said that four cadets have been punished for hurting their classmate but the reported incident was not considered as 'hazing.' In a television interview, PMA public information office's Lieutenant Jesse Saludo said the cadets faced punishments based on the degree of their participation in the incident. 'The involved cadets were given appropriate punishments depending on the degree of their participation,' Saludo said in a report of Marisol Abdurahman on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita on Monday. 'The PMA has a strict, zero tolerance on maltreatment and hazing, and such acts have no place in the institution,' he added. However, contrary to the complaint of the victim, 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. Based on its 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. He was then transferred to the PMA Station Hospital and was discharged on June 30 this year. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Ricardo Cepeda reflects on 11-month detention: ‘Honestly, it's hard'
Ricardo Cepeda opened up about his experience being detained for 11 months due to an alleged syndicated estafa case filed against him in 2023. In Friday's 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,' Ricardo, accompanied by his partner Marina Benipayo, detailed the circumstances that led to his detention and the profound impact the experience had on him and his family. 'I was working with this company, sa isang direct selling company, and 'yung role ko in the company is a brand ambassador, a product ambassador. Which is I simply talk about my experiences using products that they distribute,' Ricardo said. The actor said that he attended meetings and presentations, and he would give testimonials on stage. 'Nalaman namin na there were backdoor meetings, which he and the other speakers didn't know about,' Marina said. Per Ricardo, operations like backdoor meetings and offering investments happened without his knowledge. 'Habang we're doing this presentation, merong ibang meeting in a private area,' he said. Ricardo had previously said he was not connected to the company involved in the complaint, saying he was only an endorser of its products. He was detained for 11 months, nine months of which were spent in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and another two months in Quezon City. 'Honestly, it's hard. It's hard,' he told Tito Boy. Ricardo, however, said that the experience did not break him. He added that he was grateful for the Philippine Military Academy training his dad put him through before as it felt like he was just doing beast barracks training all over again. 'We've always felt that there was, you know, it sounds cliche, pero everything happens for a reason. There's a plan,' he said. He was able to continue communicating with his family, which provided some comfort. 'My biggest worry, Boy, was how this will affect them outside,' he said. Marina said that she always made sure to visit Ricardo, even when he was detained in Tuguegarao. 'If I'm having a hard time, lalo na siya, 'di ba?' she said. 'I want to be there with him.' The actor was released from detention and reunited with Marina last September. —Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos to PMA 2025 grads: Modern warfare requires mental sharpness, compassion
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday told graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) that modern warfare requires mental sharpness and compassion, as he called on the new members of the military to serve the country with dignity and honor. The President spoke to the graduates of PMA "Siklan-Laya" Class of 2025 during their graduation ceremony at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City. In his speech, Marcos cited the batch's accomplishments in bringing the "PMA's name to international forays and competitions." "But beyond recognition, the most important lesson you carry is the understanding that warfare today goes beyond land, seas, and skies," he said. "We have battles that are invisible to radar—ones that take place in cyberspace, in protecting information, in safeguarding the environment, and in helping communities during crises. So physical strength and agility are no longer enough. What we need just as much—are your mental sharpness and your compassion," the President said. Marcos, nevertheless, said the PMA cadets' training now includes courses that "were once unseen in the military academy—artificial intelligence, drone operations, strategic thinking, ethical leadership, amongst others." "These are all important. But what is also important, and possibly the most important, is your love of country. That is, an officer who knows how to love his or her country despite its flaws, in the most sincere way," he said. "Our country needs men and women who put their country and others above themselves; who sacrifice for the good of all; and who overcome odds because they believe in the bright future ahead," he added. Meanwhile, topping the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 is Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., who is a son of a vendor in Quezon City. "Isa na pong halimbawa si Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., ang valedictorian ng Siklab-Laya at ika-apat na summa cum laude sa kasaysayan ng PMA. Sa pagnanais niyang makatapos ng pag-aaral at mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang kanyang mga magulang, nagsikap siyang maging sundalo," Marcos said. (One example is Cadet First Class Jessie Ticar Jr., the valedictorian of Siklab-Laya and the fourth summa cum laude in PMA history. In his desire to finish his studies and provide a better life for his parents, he worked hard to become a soldier.) "Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok sa buhay, sa kabila ng kahirapan, at sa kabila ng pangungulila sa kanyang pamilya, nagawa pa niyang makuha ang pinakamataas na karangalan sa kanyang klase. At ngayon, maisusulat na ni Cadet First Class Ticar Jr. ang bagong kabanata ng kanilang buhay," the President said. (In spite of life's challenges, poverty, and yearning for his family, he was still able to achieve the highest distinction of his class. Now, Cadet First Class Ticar Jr. can write the new chapter of his life.) The country's Chief Executive and the military Commander-in-Chief, moreover, told the new PMA graduates that "you have an entire nation that respects and wholeheartedly believes in you." "Wherever your duty may take you, may it be in the mountains, in the seas, or communities, serve with dignity, serve with honor, serve with love," Marcos said. "And I hope that when you are at your lowest, you will remember that you have your fellow Filipinos who are praying for you and are supporting you and are behind you," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
