Cadet hurt in heist out of coma

MANILA, Philippines – A military cadet who was shot after trying to foil a robbery in Quezon City last month is no longer comatose and has been moved to a regular hospital room from the intensive care unit (ICU).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet Alfonso Aviles can now move the right side of his body and his eyes.

“Aviles is on his way to recovery... He is out of coma already,” Burgos said.

Aviles was transferred to a regular room last Saturday. He will undergo physical therapy once his condition improves further.

Lizzie de Jesus of the AFP Medical Center believes the improvement of Aviles’ condition was brought about by “a lot of miracles... The patient keeps on fighting.”

Burgos said the military is continuously working with the police to track down the robber who shot Aviles last Aug. 25.

Aviles, a member of the PMA “Pudang Kalis (Sacred Sword)” Class of 2013, was riding a jeepney when a passenger pulled out a gun and declared a heist near Regalado and Mindanao Avenues in Fairview, Quezon City.

He was shot in the head and shoulder after grabbing the gun from the suspect. The robber grabbed Aviles’ cadet ring before getting out of the jeepney.

PMA cadets are contributing money to help Aviles’ family with the medical expenses.