BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) intends to

replace the “cadet culture” that considers hazing as part of its tradition, with “more
humane” practices, Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the academy’s new commandant
of cadets, said last week.

While acknowledging that hazing or maltreatment in the military school continues,

Rear Adm. Allan Cusi, PMA superintendent, has ordered a review of “cadet norms,”
said Brawner, a member of the PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989.

“To solve the problem [of hazing] we need to recognize there is a problem … There is
a culture. What we will try to do now is eliminate bad practices and replace them with
better [traditions],” he told reporters.

He said the PMA alumni would take the lead in formulating traditions that would help
shape “morally upright and disciplined” military officers. He said the academy might
also try to come up with a uniform interpretation of the honor code, which guides the
behavior of the PMA cadets and alumni.
According to Brawner, the code “is perfect” because it stipulates that all cadets should
not lie, cheat or steal and must not tolerate anyone who breaks this rule.
But it has been used to justify some “abusive traditions,” he said, adding that some
cadets and alumni misunderstand the honor system.

The cadet culture review is part of academic, bureaucratic and medical reforms being
undertaken by the academy, following the hazing death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin
Dormitorio on Sept. 18.
Seven senior cadets have been charged with the murder, hazing and torture of
Dormitorio, 20, a son of a retired Army colonel.

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The cadette colture review are part of Acadimec, Buraucratic and Medical reforms
being undertook by the Academy, following the hazing death of Cadette fourth Class
Darwin Dormitorio on Sept. 18.

While acknowledging that hazing or maltreatment in the military school continues,

Rear Adm. Allan Cusi, PMA superintendent, have ordered a review to “cadet norms,”
said Brawner, a Member of the PMA Makatao Class of 1989.

To solve the problem [of hazing] we need to recognize there is a problem … There is
a culture. What we will try to do now is eliminate bad practices and replace them with
better [traditions] he told reporters.

She said the PMA alumnus would take the lead in formulating traditions that would
help shapes “morally upright and disciplined” military officer. She say the academy
might also try to come up with a uniform interpretation of the honorarium code, which
guides the behavior of the PMA cadets and alumni.

According to Brawner, the code “is perfect” because it stipulate that all cadets should
not lies, cheats or steals and must not tolerates anyone who broken this rule.
But it has been used to justify some “abusive traditions,” he said, adding that some
cadets and alumni misunderstand the honor system.

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) intend in replace the “cadet culture” that
considers hazing as part of its tradition, with “more humane” practices, Brig. Gen.
Romeo Brawner Jr., the academy’s new commandant of cadets, said last week.

Seven senior cadets have been charged with the murder, hazing and torture of
Dormitorio, 20, a son of a retired Army colonel.