Third party eyed to review PMA policies

AFP chief Lt. Gen. Noel Clement. AFP PAO

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is looking into the possibility of inviting a third party to review the policies of the Philippine Military Academy.

The much-needed reforms in the country’s premier military school come after the death of freshman cadet Darwin Dormitorio and other recently publicized cases of hazing.

“We might get third party people that can help us look into what systems have to be changed in PMA,” AFP chief Lt. Gen. Noel Clement told reporters Monday.

He said the changes needed are not only for the training of cadets but also for the duties of officers assigned there.

“It’s going to be an institution-wide review for the long term to solve the problem of hazing,” Clement said.

The AFP chief said they might tap members of the academe or PMA graduates to help scrutinize the policies of the institution.

Dormitorio, who would have been a member of PMA Class 2023, died on Sept. 18 due to hazing from his fellow cadets.

After the incident, the PMA leadership vowed reforms in health care and policies, among others. /je