Reorientation of PMA cadets ordered

MANILA, Philippines — Newly installed Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Noel Clement has ordered a reorientation for all cadets in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to rid the school of the code of silence (omerta), which, he said, caused the maltreatment of plebes to flourish.

The directive came following the death by hazing of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio and the surfacing of three more alleged victims of maltreatment.

“We need to reorient cadets that they cannot keep silent about illegal acts,” said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo in a radio interview on Wednesday.