BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) has issued a firm call to its members to maintain “strict non-partisanship” regarding the legal and political standoff involving Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.The association’s leadership is moving to insulate the prestigious military institution from the growing controversy surrounding the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
The advisory comes in the wake of heated debates within various PMA “cavalier” groups following Dela Rosa’s recent “disappearance” from the Senate building to evade arrest.
In a memorandum addressed to all chapters and classes, the PMAAAI leadership emphasized the need to uphold the academy’s core values of Integrity, Service, and Loyalty to the Constitution rather than to individuals.
- Non-Partisan Mandate: The association reminded members that as an organization, the PMAAAI does not engage in political activities or endorse the actions of individual alumni who are in public office.
- Institutional Integrity: The leadership noted that while Dela Rosa is a prominent member of PMA Class of 1986 (Sinagtala), the academy’s reputation must remain “above the fray” of the ongoing conflict between the Senate, the NBI, and international bodies.
- Discouraging Collective Statements: The board explicitly discouraged individual classes from issuing “collective manifestos” of support that could be misinterpreted as the official stance of the entire PMA alumni body.
The situation has created a visible rift among the alumni, particularly among Dela Rosa’s classmates and contemporaries:
- Supporters: Some members of the 1986 Sinagtala Class have privately expressed solidarity with the senator, viewing the ICC warrant as an infringement on Philippine sovereignty and an “affront” to a former PNP Chief.
- Legalists: Other alumni, particularly those still in active service or holding high-ranking positions in the Department of National Defense (DND), argue that the rule of law and international obligations must be respected to maintain the country’s standing.
- The “Mistah” Bond: The traditional “Mistah” (classmate) bond is being tested as the NBI—which is also led by and staffed with military and police veterans—seeks to enforce the warrant against one of their own.
The urge for silence follows the chaotic events of May 13–14:
- A shooting incident occurred on the second floor of the Senate between security and unidentified agents.
- Dela Rosa, who had been under “protective custody” in his office, reportedly “sneaked out” at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.
- The NBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) have since labeled the senator as a fugitive, further complicating the position of his former colleagues in the uniformed services.
The PMAAAI board stressed that its primary focus remains the welfare of its members and the support of the Academy, not legal defense.
“We are cavaliers, bound by a code of honor. While we value the bonds of brotherhood, our ultimate loyalty is to the flag and the Republic. We urge all members to exercise prudence and avoid making statements that might suggest the Academy is taking sides in a matter that is currently before the courts and international tribunals.” — PMAAAI Leadership Statement