A fourth-year male cadet at the PMA reportedly died of a respiratory tract infection last week at the AFP Medical Center at V. Luna St., Quezon City. This is the second death of a PMA cadet purportedly due to illness this year alone. Last May, a 17-year-old cadet also died, allegedly because of pneumonia.

BY ACE ALEGRE
Contributed to Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 40, November 11-17, 2007

BAGUIO CITY (246 kms north of Manila) – Two deaths in a year.

A fourth-year male cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) reportedly died of a respiratory tract infection last week at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center at V. Luna St., Quezon City. This is the second death of a PMA cadet purportedly due to illness, this year alone. Last May, a 17-year-old cadet also died reportedly because of pneumonia.

Twenty-two-year-old Reenan M. Ferrer from Block 11 Lot 6, PNB Homes, Barcelon St., BF Resort Village, Las Pinas City succumbed to a suspected upper respiratory tract infection at V. Luna at around 8:40 a.m. on Nov. 6.

The PMA leadership claimed the cadet was autopsied to determine with finality what caused his death.

Air Force Capt. Dennis Solomon, PMA spokesman, said they promptly initiated a thorough investigation to determine what caused Ferrer’s death and initially found out that during his All Souls’ Day vacation, Ferrer was brought to Perpetual Help Hospital, Las Pinas City for check-up reportedly due to an on-and-off fever.

Ferrer was subsequently referred to AFP Medical Center, Solomon claimed, where he had several episodes of seizure which became frequent despite continued medication and monitoring.

After at least six days at the AFP hospital, Ferrer eventually died.

PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Maligalig had informed AFP Chief-of-Staff General Hermogenes Esperon of the incident, said Solomon.

A team consisting of two officers and one enlisted personnel was immediately sent by the PMA to attend to the immediate needs of Ferrer’s family, Solomon added.

Ferrer is the second PMA cadet to die this year alone of alleged respiratory illness.

On May 8 this year, 17-year-old cadet John Limuel M. Burcer of B-4 Kaingin 1, Barangay (village) Pansol, Balara, Quezon City also died reportedly because of pneumonia at the AFP Medical Center.

Solomon immediately brushed aside hazing as the cause of the cadet’s death, insisting there was no foul play.

Burcer was confined at the PMA hospital on April 27 after complaining of chest pains. The next day, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the pediatric section of the Baguio General Hospital.

After several days, the cadet turned stable and returned to the PMA.

But then, after several laboratory tests, Burcer showed lowered resistance so the PMA decided to bring him to the AFP hospital in V. Luna, where he expired. Contributed to (Bulatlat.com)

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