Psychological interventions for PMA cadets pushed

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) need psychosocial interventions to ensure their mental soundness, according to Brig. General Romeo Brawner Jr., PMA Commandant of Cadets.

Brawner issued the statement over the weekend as a team of psychologists offered to assess the cadets.

After the assessment, the psychologists will give recommendations and suggestions that will help the cadets monitor their behavior.

Brawner earlier declared war against hazing following the death of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio at the hands of the upper class cadets.

He said that fourth class cadets need to undergo psychotherapy to arrest their traumatic experience brought by Dormitorio’s fatal hazing.

“The incident had a psychological effect on them,” Brawner said, adding that upper class cadets, especially those belonging to the first class, will undergo therapy on anger management.

Seven cadets, including three from the third class and one each from the first and second classes, were charged before the Baguio City Prosecutor’s office for violating laws on hazing and torture as well as murder.

Brawner said the PMA needed psychiatrists or experts on mental health.

The academy is planning to conduct “group norming,” wherein the cadets will be able to weed out the bad practices such as hazing.

Brawner said good practices and proper attitudes would be re-introduced during the activity.

He said  in order to introduce change, one should admit there is a problem in the PMA.  

“Hazing should be eradicated,” he said.