Airport police trainee dies in N. Ecija after recognition rites

A trainee of the airport police died following a recognition ceremony in Nueva Ecija over the weekend, but his family doubts it was due to a bangungot (nightmare).

 

The family of Leo Lazaro, 27, was informed he died from a nightmare but cited bruises on his body, according to a report Monday on Unang Balita.

 

Lazaro had told his family he would be going to San Jose in Nueva Ecija last Saturday for recognition rites for his batch, GMA News' Athena Imperial reported.

 

Before dawn of Sunday, two colleagues went to the Lazaro house in Pandacan in Manila and said an emergency occurred.

 

"Sinundo kami rito, sabi may emergency na nangyari. Sabi ganoon, nabangungot. Ang tanong ko, 'Bakit patay na ba? Ay hindi po, unconscious lang, hindi makalakad,' sabi," Leo's mother Lulu said.

 

She said they were surprised when they were brought to a hospital morgue in San Jose.

 

"Gusto namin malaman lang kung ano talaga ang kinamatay ng anak ko, 'di sasabihing bangungot," Mrs. Lazaro said.

 

An autopsy is being conducted on Leo's remains.

 

On the other hand, a relative of the fatality claimed an airport police member he talked to said Leo died of choking.

 

"Nang nagtanong ako sa officer dun, sabi na-choke daw po," he said.

 

GMA News is trying to get the airport police's statement on the incident. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News