The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) considered the May 2024 cadet watch incident between President Marcos and a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet a ‘closed case.’
AFP Spokesperson Colonel Margareth Padilla in the latest press conference said the military and the PMA already took action on the cadet involved.
“In accordance po with the rules and regulations on how we conduct ourselves as cadets,” Padilla said when asked what violations does the said cadet done. “It’s already addressed and let’s leave it at that.”
The PMA likewise logged the cased and made appropriate actions. AFP said this was the only monitored case regarding a cadet requesting a watch from the president reported to them.
Earlier, the AFP confirmed that a cadet asked for President Marcos’ wristwatch during a graduation ceremony of the PMA in May this year, an incident raised by Vice President Sara Duterte during her press conference last week.
“This is an isolated incident. It has already been dealt with. It’s already a closed book on our side po.” Padilla explained. She acknowledged that 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… He was facing the President and he made a mistake. This behavior is neither common nor acceptable,” Padilla said.
According to the AFP, he is currently assigned to the Philippine Air Force. “He was not dismissed,” Padilla said.
