CALAPAN CITY—The 314 cadets of Class 2018 of the Philippine Military Academy performed “silent drills” in this city and in the resort town of Coron, Palawan, as part of the PMA’s Northwestern Cruise 2015.
Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan and city officials welcomed the cadets at the Calapan City port, who arrived on board three naval ships, PS70 (BRP Quezon), LC550 (BRP Bacolod City), PS28 (BRP Cebu), and another naval warfare vessel.
The silent drills were performed at the track and field grounds of the Oriental Mindoro National High School, in Calapan City, and at the public plaza of Coron, hosted by Mayor Fem Reyes.
“You are the officers of the future,” Panaligan said. “Calapan City is fortunate to have the cadets immersed in the city that is bounded by discipline and good character. The experience you will have will help mold you to be a more rounded military leader.”
Their third and last leg of inter-island “silent drill” is in Puerto Princesa, also in Palawan.
“The generally peaceful situation, its growing economy and good governance are some of the reasons why Calapan City was considered.,” said Major General Ricardo R. Visaya, Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief. “We want the cadets to experience these peace and security developments in the region,” he said.
The Calapan City government also recognized Ensign Paolo Dominic Mantaring Regis, of the Philippine Navy, who was born and raised in this city, was recognized for his outstanding achievement by finishing as one of the Top 4 graduates of PMA Class 2015. He was also conferred high academic honors and received a leadership award.
In Coron, Mayor Fem Reyes and municipal officials engaged the cadets in a “boodle fight,” a Philippine military eating tradition, originally practiced by PMA cadets and their military officers.