AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Military Academy will start accepting again foreign cadets by next year.
PMA Superintendent Major General Nonato Peralta, in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, said foreign applicants are welcome as long as they would satisfy the same basic requirements for Filipino applicants.
The last time a foreign cadet graduated from the PMA was in 2001, while the first was in 1960.
Among other military institutions in Southeast Asia because, the PMA has an edge because of its “principled leadership” and “well roundedness,” according to Peralta.
Foreign cadets are subject to the same rules as Filipino cadets, but will not be granted allowances and expenses. They are also not entitled to serve the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the PMA also announced that that PMA Entrance Examination will be held on August 26 in 37 testing centers nationwide.
It earlier said that it lowered its height requirement to five feet for both male and female applicants.
“The changes in the minimum height requirement came about when it was observed during the conduct of the limited physical examination in different testing centers that many were denied the chance to go through the first phase of the selection process, solely for not meeting the height requirement,” Peralta said.
Applicants must be physically fit and of good moral character, single, at least a high school graduate, no administrative or criminal case, PMAEE passer and should have been born between April 1, 1990 and April 1, 1996.
Successful applicants who will compose of the PMA Class of 2017 will be officially received on April 1, 2013 in an oath-taking ceremony and reception rites.