TRAINING DIRECTOR, 2 OTHERS RELIEVED AMID PROBE OF MARINE TRAINEE’S DEATH

The Philippine Marine Corps has relieved the director and two personnel of its training center in Ternate, Cavite amid the ongoing investigation of the recent death of one of its trainees.

In Jun Veneracion’s 24 Oras report on Tuesday, footage showed a practical swimming exercise of a group of trainees off the coast on June 26 going smoothly.

But in the following batch, a male trainee fell unconscious after witnesses said he struggled and vomited in the water.

“He was struggling to the point na nag-vomit. Immediately, ni-rescue siya [and was] given CPR sa shoreline na,” said PMC Commandant Major General Arturo Rojas.

(He was struggling to the point he vomited. He was immediately rescued and given cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the shoreline.)

The trainee, Joel Jimena, was taken to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The 24-year-old Jimena was scheduled to complete his six-month long training this August to become a member of the Philippine Marine Corps.

His remains were brought to Albay, his home province.

Jimena’s family requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an autopsy.

“Just to determine kung meron ba nga prevailing illness o disease po yung ating biktima prior to his death, minarapat po ng forensic group na magsagawa po ng histopathology examination to check po yung mga tissues niya, yung kinain po niya, bago sumailalim dito sa training po na yun para mas comprehensive po ang magiging autopsy po,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said.

(Just to determine if the victim had a prevailing illness or disease prior to his death, our forensic group conducted a hispathology examination to check his tissues and the food he ate before undergoing training so that we have a comprehensive autopsy.)

Based on his training evaluation, Jimena was considered a “weak swimmer” and as such was being monitored and assisted in the water.

After Jimena's death, the Marines permitted Jimena's family to talk to his batchmates and others who witnessed the incident.

“Very open tayo para mapakita na we are very transparent. I think wala naman foul play,” Rojas said.

(We are very open to show that we are transparent. I think there is no foul play involved.)

Even though Jimena was unable to complete his training, the PMC said he will still receive a military burial and that his family will receive his benefits. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News

This article Training director, 2 others relieved amid probe of Marine trainee’s death was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-07-02T15:12:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd