DUE to the threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the annual Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming has been simple with only few attendees after the academy leadership limit the crowd, PMA spokesperson Captain Cherryl Tindog said.

Tindog said unlike the previous years during the conduct of alumni homecoming, there was a “low turnout” of alumni this year.

“This year nakita po natin na medyo hindi po mataas ‘yung number po ng turnout ng alumni na pumasok ngayon. Mapapansin po ninyo hindi tayo nag-cause ng traffic sa labas, which is actually kinda new,” she said.

Tindog said it was because of the temporary lockdown imposed inside the academy due to Covid-19.

She said it was the first time that the event was closed to public.

She said only the alumnus, their immediate families and some chosen guests were allowed to enter the PMA premises to keep the cadets safe from the disease.

“Ito pong pagsasara ng ating alumni homecoming sa general public is just part of our precautionary measures po to limit the number of the crowd coming in... alam naman po natin ‘yung ating struggle with the coronavirus,” Tindog said.

The annual event was initially set on February 15, but due to the threat of Covid-19, it was moved.

It was also one of the reason why only few were able to attend the homecoming.

“Marami po ngayong mga classes na ahead of time nag-celebrate na po ng homecoming nila since last week... ‘Yung atin din po sa Golden Jubilarians, the class 1970, last week nag-awarding na rin po tayo sa kanila,” Tindog said.

The media were also barred to cover the event.

As part of precautionary measures, visit to cadets and their time allowance to go out the camp is limited. (SunStar Philippines)