Cadet hero honored with medal

FORT DEL PILAR -- Philippine Military Academy (PMA) First Class Cadet Alfonso Aviles received the Bronze Cross medal, an honor given for acts of heroism.

Aviles thwarted an ongoing robbery inside a passenger jeep in Quezon City August 25, when the graduating PMA cadet grabbed the gun of a robber but he was shot and left for dead.

PMA Superintendent Major General Nonato Alfredo Peralta awarded the medal in rites at Aviles’ room at the Armed Force of the Philippines Medical Center, where the cadet is still in slow recovery.

Peralta also presented Aviles a replacement of his bull ring, which was stolen by the robber.

The incident has left the young cadet in physical rehabilitation and medication since. Aviles was shot in the head and shoulder by the robber and initially went into coma.

Today, he is now able to walk and speak in phrases, and continues to recuperate at the military hospital.

Aviles had post-traumatic amnesia, which is temporary and usual in cases like his, however, the cadet has his long-term and short-term memory intact.

Peralta said Aviles may not be able to join his classmates in PMA Pudangkalis (Puso’t Dangal ng Kawal ng Lahing Nagkakaisa) Class of 2013 in their graduation in March next year.

“Baka mahirapan siya,” Peralta said as the PMA is focusing on the recovery of the cadet.

In order to go back to the PMA, Aviles must be issued a clean bill of health via a medical clearance.

Aviles may join the next batch which is the PMA class Siglabdiwa (Sundalong Ipaglalaban ang Kalayaan ng Bayan sa Diwang Wagas) Class of 2014.