Outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) was able to eliminate hazing because cadets, trainers, and military leaders worked together to change a long-standing culture inside the country's premier military school.

Brawner, a member of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989, was appointed as PMA commandant of cadets in September 2019 after freshman cadet Darwin Dormitorio died of hazing.

He went on to become the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (PA), and later the 60th Chief of Staff of the AFP. He is set to retire on July 21 after nearly three years as the country's highest military officer.

Speaking during a testimonial parade and luncheon held in his honor at PMA headquarters, Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar in Baguio City on Saturday, July 4, Brawner recalled that many doubted hazing could ever be removed from the Academy.

“Many officers and many of my classmates told me, 'Bok, that's impossible. You cannot remove hazing from the Academy because it is already ingrained in our culture.’ But we proved them wrong. Together, when we work together, we can make miracles happen,” Brawner said.

“It was not because of one policy that it succeeded. It was because cadet officers, military trainers, and military leaders united for a common purpose,” he continued.

It has been nearly seven years after Dormitorio, a 20-year-old plebe from PMA Madasigon Class of 2023, died on Sept. 18, 2019 following repeated maltreatment inside the academy.

His death shocked the country after investigators found that he had been subjected to weeks of physical abuse, including beatings, exhausting physical punishment, and electrocution by upperclassmen over minor infractions.

The incident prompted then AFP chief General Noel Clement to order sweeping reforms in the academy. As part of the changes, then PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista and Corps of Cadets Commandant Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro resigned under the principle of command responsibility.

Brawner, who was then serving as commander of the Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi City, was appointed as the new commandant of cadets, placing him at the center of efforts to rebuild discipline inside the academy and prevent another Dormitorio case.

Since then, the PMA introduced stricter supervision of cadets, tighter monitoring inside barracks, and stronger restrictions on interactions between upperclassmen and plebes.

The reforms were tested again after another hazing complaint surfaced in 2025 involving the alleged abuse of a freshman cadet that reportedly occurred in September 2024. The PMA said it had already investigated the incident and imposed sanctions under military regulations before the complaint became public.

Despite that case, Brawner maintained that hazing as an institutional practice had been dismantled through the collective effort of the academy's leadership and the Corps of Cadets.

The PMA honored Brawner with a Testimonial Parade and Review before his retirement. The Academy also conferred on him the Outstanding PMA Alumnus Award or Ulirang Alumnus ng Akademiya in recognition of his service and leadership in the AFP.

During his address to the Corps of Cadets at Yap Hall, Brawner urged future military officers to remain steadfast despite difficulties they may encounter in the Academy.

“There will be moments when you struggle and question yourself. There will be times when you fail and wonder whether you really belong here,” he said.

“When those times come, remember this: Take it one day at a time. Serve others before yourself. Stay united in purpose. Trust God's timing. Have faith even when you cannot see where the road leads,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brawner turned over a cash donation to the PMA to support the Office of the Cadet Mess. The donation came from part of the proceeds of the CSAFP Cup Shoot Fest 2026 held at Fort del Pilar from March 26 to 29. The Academy said the fund will help provide for the health and nourishment of cadets as they undergo military and academic training.

The PMA also cited Brawner's earlier contribution through the Brawner Cavaliers Foundation, which donated a modern model classroom inaugurated at Melchor Hall in November 2025. The facility is now being used for classroom instruction.

According to the Academy, Brawner's contributions reflect his continued support for PMA's mission of producing physically fit, academically prepared, and service-oriented officers for the AFP.