Students, parents, and women’s groups held a picket in front of the gate of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in Intramuros, Manila on May 20 to demand justice and accountability for the student who was hazed by the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). They demanded the PLM administration attend to, and immediately address, the issue.

During the protest, Gabriela Youth PLM condemned anew the case of hazing that took place as early as November 2024. The case came to light when the victim’s father called for justice on May 8 in the face of the university’s continued inaction.

The violent hazing reportedly happened to a female cadet on November 28, 2024, at the so-called ROTC office “Armory” within the university. PLM ROTC cadets and officials were involved in the hazing. At an official’s said order, the victim was blindfolded, repeatedly slapped, forced to hold a bridge pose while being cursed at, and had her fingers squeezed.

The incident forced the victim to leave her first semester unfinished and transfer to another school. This also caused her severe trauma requiring her to undergo treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

They also condemned PLM for its National Service Training Program which is implemented as the quasi-mandatory ROTC. According to the group, insufficient slots in the Civic Welfare Training Service that supposedly serve as alternative to ROTC force a large number of first-year students to enter ROTC. This is also reportedly due to PLM’s attempt to reach the quota for the ROTC program.

On May 14, following the insistence of the family and groups, a preliminary hearing on the hazing case took place. After the hearing, the family, together with Gabriela Youth PLM and Gabriela Women’s Party, consulted regarding the next steps in the case and the pursuit of justice for the victim.

Gabriela Youth PLM and other youth and student groups also reiterated their opposition to the Marcos regime’s proposed Mandatory ROTC.