A CALL for concern over the safety of women cadets at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has been made by the Gabriela Youth network.
Phylane Cristobal, vice-chairman for externals of the Innabuyog Gabriela Youth of the University of the Philippines Baguio, has sounded the alarm and concern for female cadets at the academy.
"We are reaching out to the women cadets (that we have at the PMA), if they have been victims of hazing, maltreatment or abuse of any kind, we are here to help," Cristobal said.
The youth group has condemned the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, who was hazed with a force, resulting in his death.
PMA and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) are jointly investigating the case of Dormitorio, who died September 18.
This week, additional cadets have been sent to a military hospital with the same symptoms as Dormitorio. They are also believed to be victims of hazing.
Cristobal also slammed the culture of violence, which they say has been condoned in the military school.
"Hazing does not build character, it damages you physically, mentally
and emotionally. It is not right," Cristobal added.
The police believe that Dormitorio had been maltreated before he was brought to the PMA Station Hospital on September 17 after experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to internal hemorrhage.
Investigation also revealed that Dormitorio went to the hospital thrice in August, a detail vital to the ongoing investigation due to injury markings he sustained prior to the incident.
Cristobal said the group condemns the act of hazing, as well as the culture that allows it to thrive at the PMA. She reiterated the call of concern for women cadets.
PMA spokesperson Major Reynan Afan, in an interview, assured the safety and well-being of female cadets in the academy, saying there are tactics group leaders who are also females in charge of their welfare.
Afan also said there are company commanders also in charge of the health, well beings, as well as support for the lady cadets.
He said programs for female cadets are set into place at the PMA hospital with a gender and development officer overseeing the reproductive health care needs as a whole.
A monthly evaluation is also made, with sporadic checks and monitoring of activities for female cadets, said Afan, who added that the case of Domitorio is not an isolated one.
This year, a woman led the PMA Mabalasik (Madirigma ng Bayan Lakas at Sarili Iaalay para sa Kapayapaan) class of 2019 with Cadet Dionne Mae Apolog Umalla from Allilem, Ilocos Sur hailed as the fifth emale to top Asia's premier military school.
The academy started accepting women in 1993.