PMA cadet dies after boxing match with mistah

A cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City died of internal hemorrhage that was believed to have been caused by a boxing match with his mistah (classmate) last week. Cadet 2nd class Anthony M. Pastores died of acute subdural hemorrhage at the St. Louis University Hospital last Aug. 21, or two days after he was brought there, according to PMA spokesperson Capt. Lynette Flores. Pastores was found unconscious at the PMA covered court last Aug. 19 at around 6 p.m., or less than two hours after the boxing match that was part of the academy’s intramural. But Flores said the boxing match may not be the direct cause of Pastores’ death. “We are not actually pointing out that the boxing was the direct cause. The finding was he (Pastores) had an acute subdural hemorrhage. There was bleeding and swelling in his brain that sent him to comatose," she said. Flores said Pastores’ opponent, whom she did not identify, would not be held liable for the death “because it was done in an activity, undertaking that what we can say legal, or official of the cadets." She said both Pastores and his opponent were aggressive during the three-round boxing match, prompting the referee to stop the fight to prevent serious injuries. Pastores’ opponent was declared winner. She said the two were only subjected to a “regular check" because there was no manifestation of injuries and both fighters were not complaining about anything. “They (fighters) came down from the ring and Cadet Pastores even watched the succeeding fight," Flores said. As of Thursday, Flores said the PMA “does not have a conclusive statement as to the cause of his death since no autopsy was conducted on the remains of Cadet Pastores." She said Pastores’ parents, who flew from Davao City, decided against having the autopsy done to their son. Pastores, who was supposed to graduate in 2012, was brought to his hometown in Davao where he will be interred on Saturday. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV