PMA cadet dies in boxing match; hazing ruled out

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City– A cadet was killed in a boxing bout during the Philippine Military Academy’s yearly intramurals and was brought home to his home in Davao City last week.

PMA officials said Second Classman Anthony Pastores, a member of Class 2012, died morning of Aug. 21 at the St. Louis University Hospital from acute hemorrhage.

Pastores was reportedly found lying near the women’s toilet at the covered court of the academy after his boxing bout Thursday afternoon.

He was immediately rushed to the PMA Hospital then transferred to the St. Louis University Hospital.

Army Captain Lynnette Flores, PMA spokesperson, said they have no conclusive statement on the cause of his death since no autopsy was conducted. “His parents decided against having the autopsy done to their son.”

Pastores’ parents who came from Davao City arrived at the hospital just a few minutes before the second classman died.

Pastores was brought home to Davao and was reportedly buried yesterday.

PMA officials ruled out hazing in the death of Pastores, a senior cadet.

“As a third year, Cadet 2nd Class Pastores is already considered a senior in the Academy and nobody would dare touch him anymore,” Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said.

He added hazing is no longer allowed in the PMA.

Pastores had a scheduled three-round boxing bout with another cadet boxer at about 4:45 p.m. on Aug. 16.

But the fight was stopped on the second round of the match as both fighters were already tired.

An hour later, on his way out of the PMA’s covered court, Pastores collapsed.