MANILA—The new cadet commandant of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Friday "declared war" on hazing following the recent death of a cadet.

"I believe, to that declaration of war against hazing, this is now a new start, a fresh start for us to try to eradicate once and for all hazing at the Philippine Military Academy," Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner told ANC Friday.

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Brawner said there are other, less severe ways to punish erring cadets.

"For instance, when I was a cadet, my squad leader then believed in athletics and exercises so whenever we had some offenses, instead of hazing us, he would make us exercise and it proved to be better because it made us stronger as cadets," he said.

He added that PMA administrators "are going to give cadets options other than hazing in order for the upperclassmen to be able to discipline the lowerclassmen."

Brawner replaced former Brig. Gen Bartolome Bacarro, who stepped down following the death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio on September 18.

Former PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista also relinquished his post and was replaced by Rear Admiral Allan Cusi, vice commander of the Philippine Navy.