Ifugao kin seek NBI probe into Navy trainee’s death in July

SANTIAGO CITY — The relatives of a 25-year-old Navy Officer candidate, who hailed from Ifugao and who died in July during naval training exercises, have asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own review of that incident. 

“We are seeking a parallel investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation  (at a meeting on Wednesday, September 9) in Metro Manila regarding his sudden death to determine the appropriate charges to be filed soonest,” said Stelle Marie Bunoan-Dulnuan, mother of the late Aldwayne Agnaonao Bunoan Dulnuan, who died on July 22 during training in Zambales.

The mother of Aldwayne told the Inquirer over the phone on Wednesday that they are demanding “a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death” and that the Navy should acknowledge “accountability” for the trainee’s death at the Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio town.

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READ: Lack of Navy nod stalls probe of cadet’s death

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The Navy said Dulnuan died from heat stroke following strenuous training exercises, but his relatives expressed fears there may have been foul play. Dulnuan was physically fit when he entered the Navy training, his family asserted. 

Aldwayne is the fourth among the five children of the Dulnuan couple. He was a celebrated basketball player in local and provincial leagues.

Bunoan-Dulnuan said they have received fresh information from the Philippine Navy about the incident, “but until now, we never got any updates despite communications sent to them.”

The Dulnuans, with their counsel and other relatives, were scheduled to meet NBI Director Melvin Matibag on Wednesday. 

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The Dulnuan clan gathered on July 26 for the traditional Ifugao vigil, or bohwat, in Barangay Huliaban in Kiangan town, where they mourned Aldwayne’s death and made the collective appeal for the Navy’s “truthful” account about the tragedy. 

READ: Navy starts probe, says no foul play in trainee’s death in Zambales

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The municipal government of Kiangan has also called for a transparent investigation into Aldwayne’s death. /coa