PMA graduating cadets spread goodwill in exposure trip to Pag-Asa Island

BAGUIO CITY — Another batch of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets had an exposure trip to Pag-asa Island in Palawan last week, three days before the Philippine Coast Guard opened a district outpost at Kalayaan town.

Graduating cadets of PMA “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026 were brought to the island for an outreach program and to engage with residents on April 6, said Navy Lt Commander Jesse Nestor Saludo, PMA chief of public affairs, in a statement on Saturday.

A flashpoint for the country’s territorial dispute with China, this island community first hosted PMA cadets belonging to the “Siklab Laya” Class of 2025 in April last year.

Saludo said the Pag-Asa visits were “designed to expose graduating cadets to the realities of the operational environment (in order to deepen) their understanding of the strategic significance of Pag-asa Island and the Kalayaan Island Group, while strengthening their appreciation of territorial defense.”

The cadets traveled onboard BRP TARLAC (LD 601) with Army Brigadier General Nelson C. Aluad, PMA Commandant of Cadets and Head of Mission, and held community games with children and “carried out a PMA cadetship recruitment campaign.”

Saludo said the cadets also donated 50 armchairs to the Pag-asa Integrated School, delivered medical supplies to the Rural Health Unit, and handed over cash support pooled by the Talang Dangal class. /gsg