President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday ordered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to enhance its cadets’ skills to address modern-day challenges.
During the Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 commencement, he directed the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to review the academy’s curriculum.
“The PMA has long been a reliable institution in nation-building. However, in this time of great complexity, the PMA needs to step up and take on the task of ensuring that the next generation of leaders in the country are ready for the emerging and future challenges,” Mr. Marcos said.
The President stressed the importance of digital literacy and integrity to combat disinformation and infiltration. The review aims to ensure cadets are equipped with 21st-century skills to tackle conventional and asymmetric threats.
Since its establishment in 1935, the PMA’s curriculum has been reviewed 10 times, with more frequent updates since 2021 to meet the evolving security landscape.
The chief executive praised the PMA instructors and highlighted the achievements of female cadets among the top graduates. He also reassured the AFP of the government’s commitment to supporting all uniformed personnel and their families.
A total of 278 cadets graduated from the Bagong Sinag Class of 2024, with 143 joining the army, 62 the Air Force, and 73 the Navy.