PMA Class of 2025 Graduates: President Marcos Urges Cadets to Embrace Modern Warfare and Deep Patriotism

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY — In a rousing commencement address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. praised the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Siklab-Laya Class of 2025 as “a class of many firsts,” calling on the newly commissioned officers to prepare for the evolving face of warfare one fought not only on the battlefield, but also across digital domains, environmental fronts, and humanitarian crises.

The President led the graduation ceremony held Saturday at Fort del Pilar, honoring the 266 cadets who completed the academy’s rigorous four year training program. The Siklab-Laya Class holds historical significance as the first batch to be deployed for training on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea an assertion of Philippine presence amid rising regional tensions.

“Warfare today is no longer limited to land, sea, and air,” President Marcos emphasized. “You will face battles invisible to radar—those in cyberspace, in protecting information, defending our environment, and aiding our communities in times of disaster.”

Highlighting the shift in military education, the President noted that the PMA has introduced modern subjects such as artificial intelligence, drone warfare, strategic thinking, and ethical leadership, reflecting the academy’s push to remain relevant in a rapidly changing security landscape.

“But above all,” he said, “what matters most is your sincere love for country. An officer who serves despite imperfections, who remains steadfast even in adversity that is the kind of leader our nation needs.”

President Marcos commended the Siklab-Laya Class for their international achievements, citing their participation in academic forums in Palermo, Italy, and global regattas in Italy and India, which brought pride and honor to the PMA.

The highlight of the ceremony was the awarding of the Presidential Saber to Cadet First Class Jessie R. Ticar Jr., who graduated summa cum laude only the fourth in the academy’s history to earn such distinction. The President hailed Ticar as a “symbol of grit, excellence, and patriotic devotion.”

Of the 266 graduates, 137 will join the Philippine Army, 71 will serve in the Navy, and 58 are set to enter the Air Force.

As tradition dictates, President Marcos also issued a ceremonial pardon for minor offenses committed by cadets, marking the symbolic transition of the Siklab-Laya Class from scholars of the academy to defenders of the nation.

“As you march forward in service, remember: your physical prowess must be matched by mental acuity and compassion,” he concluded. “Our country’s future lies in the hands of leaders like you leaders who are not only warriors, but protectors of peace, progress, and the Filipino spirit.”

(Source: Philippine Information Agency /Photo Courtesy: Philippine News Agency)