AFP says PMA cadet asked for Marcos watch at graduation; says it’s not common, tradition

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that a cadet asked for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s wristwatch during a graduation ceremony of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in May this year, an incident raised by Vice President Sara Duterte in a press conference last week.

In Chino Gaston’s Monday report on "24 Oras," Marcos and Duterte can be seen attending the ceremony together.  The vice president, however, did not specify if this was the occasion she was referring to where she said Marcos refused the cadet's request.

Duterte said when the president refused to grant the cadet’s request, she realized that her relationship with him had turned toxic.  

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that a cadet requested the president’s watch during the graduation rites.

In the video, as Marcos handed the cadet's diploma, he moved closer to the latter to hear what he said.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the cadet's 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 (What happened here), it was in a moment of euphoria. He was facing the President and he made a mistake. This behavior is neither common nor acceptable,” Padilla said.

According to the APF, the cadet received punishment. He is currently assigned to the Philippine Air Force.

“Hindi naman siya dismissed. Upon learning about the incident, nag take action agad yung PMA,” Padilla said.

(He was not dismissed. Upon learning about the incident, the PMA took immediate action.)

During the 2019 PMA graduation ceremony, a cadet also asked for former president Rodrigo Dutertte’s watch, and he acceded. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News