THE 350 newly commissioned members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 2024 arrived at the Fort Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City and tested negative for Covid-19, PMA said.

On Monday morning, the plebes formally took their oath as new members of the Cadet Corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP).

The traditional reception rites for the incoming cadets were closed to the public including parents, relatives and media due to Covid-19 protocols.

"The 350 incoming cadets are all aboard Fort del Pilar now, all accounted for and all Covid-19 free. Today at 9:30 am, we will do the traditional reception rites to mark the start of their journey as cadets. There will be no live streaming," PMA added.

On Sunday, PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi disclosed before the travel of 350 cadets to the Summer Capital from their respective areas, they were subsequently tested for Covid-19 via swab test and were only allowed to travel if they tested negative.

He said on June 15, the cadets were formally received and will start formal military training with an oath-taking as new members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He added that a simple reception ceremony was designed to test and gauge basic physical strength before the start of the training.

"This will also be the start of their regimented military life and their gradual transformation as professional and disciplined young military leaders,” Cusi said.

Cusi assured PMA will continue to strive to ensure that every member of the CCAFP and the whole team of the military academy will be safe, healthy and be free from Covid-19 following the strict observance of public health safety and quarantine protocols.

More than 33,000 took the entrance exams with more than 1,600 passing the initial tests and completing the physical examination and physical fitness test.

Out of the 1,600, 350 made it to the final list.

The cadets will graduate in 2024 where they will be joining one of the three main branches of service of AFP, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.