PMA cadet who fought robber declared ‘hero’

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – Only a few more steps before becoming a full-pledged soldier-officer, 23-year- old Alfonso Aviles is already deemed “a hero”.

Beyond the call of duty, the first class PMA cadet risked his own life against an armed robber who held up a passenger jeepney along Fairview in Quezon City noon time August 24.

           

He was going back to V. Luna also in Quezon City to oversee Saturday’s PMA entrance examinations, being a Manila proctor team member, said PMA spokesperson Capt. Lynette Flores.

           

Aviles attempted to fend off the robber to defend himself and other jeepney passengers.

           

"To defend oneself from impending danger is a natural reaction of any situation. In the situation of cadet Aviles, he was just averting the threat caused by the [robber] not only unto him but also to the passengers of the jeep,” Flores said.

           

Aviles' action, however, meant that he may eventually lose his dream to become a soldier because a bullet entered his head and another on his left cheek exiting on his right jaw and again re-entering on his collar bone.

           

Military physicians are evaluating Aviles’ condition. Flores said they "are praying for his recovery.”

           

Owing to the incident the Philippine Military Academy has condemned "the rampant proliferation of criminality in the society,” Flores said.

           

The PMA vowed to work closely with the police and other agencies for a deeper investigation of the incident.

Flores, however, said Cadet Aviles is a "hero".