Dismissed salututorian leaves PMA compound

BAGUIO CITY -- Dismissed Cadet 1st Class Jeff Aldrin Cudia packed his bags and left the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Fort del Pilar here night of March 16.

Major Lynette Flores, PMA spokesperson, said in a radio interview on Monday that Cudia was accompanied by his parents during his departure.

According to Flores, Cudia signed his clearance and his documents were processed "like a usual cadet clearing out of the academy."

Cudia was dismissed by the PMA board for allegedly lying about why he was late for two minutes in class.

The incident was closely followed up by the media after his sister Annavee posted a viral Facebook message recounting the academy's supposed mistreatment of her brother.

Prior to his discharge and indefinite leave, Cudia was supposed to finish as salutatorian I n graduation the March 15 rites attended by President Benigno Aquino III.

Flores said that the academy wishes Cudia a "new start" in life.

PMA Cadet Commandant Col. RozzanoBriguez had said Aquino's reversal of the decision of the Cadet Review and Appeals Board is not enough to allow him to graduate this year as Cudia has yet to finish his on-the-job-training.

“This year no. Categorically he cannot graduate,” Briguez told reporters March 16.

Cudia’s family remains hopeful that the President will grant them a favorable decision.

Security was tight at the venue even for the families of the 222 members of PMA “SiklabDiwa” Class of 2014 who graduated as the possibility of a protest for Cudia’s cause was raised.

Earlier, Cudia’s family aired a last-ditch appeal to President Aquino to let him graduate.