Family of drowned trainee files complaint vs PCG

The family of an apprentice seaman who died during training filed a complaint against seven Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel six months after the tragedy.

In Saleema Refran’s 24 Oras report on Monday, the PCG personnel are facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.

The family of Mori Caguay were accompanied by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when they filed the complaint at the Department of Justice.

Maguay’s family said there was neglect during the training since a video of the incident showed the victim floating in the water before he was rescued during PCG’s water search and rescue  (WASAR) training in Cavite last November 16.

In the video, a man on a rubber boat is seen shouting and kicking the water towards the floating yet unconscious victim.Another man jumped into the water to rescue the trainee.

Based on the NBI’s autopsy, Caguay died due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

Kapag nakikita ko yung video yung ginawa ng mga trainers niya, hindi talaga makatao 'yun. Dapat walang casualty,” said Romana Caguay, the mother of the victim.

(Every time I watch the video, I see that  the trainers did to my son was not humane. There should be no casualties.)

The case will first undergo evaluation by prosecutors before it undergoes preliminary investigation.

“Tayo naman ay haharapin natin ito. Of course, mayroon tayong simpatya doon sa mga tauhan natin. Sapagkat wala namang may gusto nito,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.

(We will face the charges. Of course, our sympathies go to our personnel since nobody wanted the incident to happen.)

He added that several coast guard units were allowed to conduct the water search and rescue training with a stricter protocol and a faster response time.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News