PCG suspends all water training amid second trainee death

Another Philippine Coast Guard trainee died during a training session in Cavite on November 16.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Chino Gaston on Tuesday, a surfacing video of the incident showed that victim Mori Caguay drowned during a Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training.

The video also showed that Caguay was only rescued when he was floating and unconscious.

He later died at a hospital in Cavite.

“Hinintay pa nila magfloat yung tao so nakita natin sa video nagfloat yung body. Ang paghawak sa kanya puro mali, ang cpr sa kanya mali lahat. Parang hazing kasi pinaglaruan siya sa gilid ng boat. Eh sabi ng mga kasama niya, natapos niya yung performance na 100 meters,” said the victim’s mother, Romana Caguay.

The PCG denied accusations of hazing or initiations being conducted during the training.

“Naintindihan natin yung nanay, magulang nawalan ng anak at mabigat sa kalooban, pero mas maganda kasi malaman natin kung ano [push] doon,” said PCG Spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo.
This followed only a day after the death of a PCG Palawan member during a rescue training session on November 15.

According to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Sam Nielsen on Tuesday, Balilo said that this incident prompted PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan to call for the nationwide suspension of all PCG water training and a review of safety procedures and programs of instruction.

The National Bureau of Investigation also opened its investigations on both the Cavite and Palawan cases.

“The PCG Commandant Admiral Gavan has directed the conduct of investigation. Titingnanan natin lahat ng naging posibleng dahilan that led to the unfortunate incident. We will be transparent and will cooperate with the investigation being conducted by the NBI,” said Balilo.

He added that the trainees had been going through ordinary PCG training methods. — DVM/RF, GMA Integrated News