PMA has a new Superintendent

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 13): PMA has a new Superintendent

The premiere military school in Southeast Asia welcomed Thursday its new superintendent, Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado replacing Lt. Gen. Ireneo Espino who is set to retire on April 16, this year.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista presided over the turnover and change of command ceremony of the Philippine Military Academy at Fort Del Pilar here after the traditional military honors at the Sundial Area by the PMA cadets and officers.

During the time of Espino as Superintendent, the Pudang Kalis or Puso’t Dangal ng mga Kawal ng Lahing Nagkakaisa Class of 2013 graduated last month with 19 female cadets out of the 124-strong cadets, the largest number of female cadets since the acceptance of women in the PMA.

Espino, a member of “Matapat” Class of 1979, explained that the 19 female cadets of the Class of 2013, also has its own “Magnificent 7” or seven cadets receiving citations and awards including the four lady cadets belonging to the Top 10 of the class led by Maryam Balais of La Trinidad, Benguet who graduated as salutatorian.

Abogado in his speech underscored the immense responsibility of the position as the head of the military institution which trains future officers of the AFP and leaders of the country.

Many of the former members of the PMA cadet corps, referred at times as the "Long Grey Line," became not only as distinguished officers of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) but also as national leaders.

Abogado, a member of “Mapitagan” Class of 1980, asked the cooperation and support of the faculty members and cadet corps for him to continue the excellent work of his predecessors as well as to live by and implement the PMA Roadmap.

He said he will be implementing all the curricular and policies of the academy duly set by authorities similar to the military's chain of command which emanates from the President of the Philippines, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP.

Meanwhile, in an interview, Gen. Bautista denied that the PMA Superintendent post which is considered a critical and vital position in the Armed Forces, is a “gift” given to retiring officials of the AFP.

Such issue arose when then PMA Superintendent Major Gen. Nonato Peralta was replaced by Espino in November 2012 serving as the PMA top post for barely five months as he retires from the service.

“The AFP is watching over the PMA leadership and the PMA Roadmap,” said Bautista.

Abogado is also set to retire February next year, a month before the graduation of the PMA Siklab-Diwa Class of 2014.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=41365756292