MANILA – A Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet who asked for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s wristwatch has been punished, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
According to AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, the said cadet was not dismissed but was punished as his action was “unusual and unacceptable.”
“It’s actually an isolated case that does not reflect the overall culture and training of the academy. Ito, ang nangyari dito, it was in a moment of euphoria,” Padilla said.
“He was facing the President and he made a mistake. This behavior is neither common nor acceptable,” he added. “Hindi naman siya dismissed. Upon learning about the incident, nag-take action agad ‘yung PMA.”
The said incident, which was mentioned by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio during a press conference last week, took place during a PMA graduation ceremony in May this year.
According to Duterte-Carpio, she imagined cutting Marcos’ head off after he refused to grant the cadet’s request. The incident, she added, also made her realize that her relationship with him had turned toxic.
During the 2019 PMA graduation ceremony, a cadet also asked for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s watch, and he acceded./PN
