MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City will keep the public, including relatives, of cadets from the academy’s graduation rites on May 22 to prevent mass gathering and transmission of SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Fort del Pilar remains closed and follows strict measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus within the PMA and the community,” PMA spokesperson Captain Cherryl Tindog said in a statement on Thursday (May 14).
Instead, the event will be live-streamed at the PMA’s official Facebook page. PMA commencement exercises in the past were usually attended by the President and Vice President as guests.
Tindog said it is still unclear if President Rodrigo Duterte will attend this year’s graduation ceremonies.
The topnotchers and other awardees of the PMA “Masidlawin” Class of 2020 will be announced on Wednesday (May 20).