Aquino to lead PMA graduation rites

MANILA, Philippines –  President Aquino will commission 196 first-class cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as second lieutenants and ensigns of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the PMA graduation rites at the Borromeo Field in Baguio City today.

The President will also announce the next AFP chief during the commencement exercises.

Cadet First Class Angelo Parras, 21, of Apalit, Pampanga will receive the Presidential Saber from Aquino in topping the Laon Alab Class of 2011. Parras has chosen to join the Navy.

Cadets First Class John Gregor Guiang, 21, of Zamboanga del Norte, and Jason Cortes Luna, 23, of Enrile, Cagayan, ranked second and third, respectively.

Included in the list of the PMA top 10 graduates are Aljay Cabriga Dino of Naic, Cavite; Rigor Narag Pamittan of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Janice Baniaga Matbagan of Baguio City; Bobby Gabayno of Cainta, Rizal; Ramon Kristofer Ganab Engay of Tuao, Cagayan; Norman Avila Carual of Tabaco City, Albay; and Jason Fabros Parinas of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

This year’s graduating class is the youngest in the last five years, with median ages between 20 and 22.

PMA officials said the class had at least 10 members who would graduate at 20. They would need to sign a waiver to serve as officers since the Armed Forces require its members to be at least 21 years of age.

Of the 196 graduates, 22 are females. One hundred and five cadets will join the Army, 51 will go to the Navy, and 40 will join the Air Force.

The President has been visiting the military forces to assure soldiers that his administration is exerting all efforts to rid the AFP of corruption.

Aquino also announced that some 20,000 housing units would be available for the soldiers and the police in the next six to eight months.