Naval officer candidate dies during training in Zambales; family seeks answers

A Philippine Navy officer candidate died during training in Zambales due to heatstroke, the family is grieving and seeking answers.

In a "24 Oras" report from Dano Tingcungco on Wednesday, the family of 25-year old Aldwayne Dulnuan was suspicious of the apparent heat stroke because the Navy cadet was in good shape.

Dulnuan had been doing a 5-kilometer run when he suffered a heat stroke.

His mother, Stella Bunoan, said she was supposed to be heading home when she received a call on July 21 from the Navy regarding her son. When she reached the hospital, she saw that Dulnuan was already intubated.

“Lumabalabas sa lungs niya tubig, dugo na maraming phlegm. Ang sabi naheatstroke di pwedeng ganyan na kalakasan ng bata na nakacondition ng anak niya,” Bunoan said.

(There was water, blood and a lot of phlegm. They said that it was heatstroke but that is not possible when he is strong and in condition.)

Bunoan questioned why her child was immediately sent to the intensive care unit if it had just suffered from heatstroke. She said her son was health conscious, on top of being a licensed private pilot. It also did not make sense for her son to have a heatstroke since they were jogging during the early morning.

"On the morning of July 21, 2026, after completing a scheduled 5-kilometer run at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui (NSLG), Officer candidate Dulnuan experienced dizziness and severe chills before collapsing," the Philippine Navy said in a statement.

Philippine Navy Public Affairs Office Director Captain Marie Angelica Sisican said the initial medical assessment considered cardiac arrhythmia, heat exhaustion, and electrolyte imbalance.

Despite receiving medical care, Dulnuan was pronounced dead at 12:53 p.m. on July 22.

“The medical cause of death was identified as a severe infection affecting the central nervous system with a compromised respiratory system,” Sisican said.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Navy said that while investigation is ongoing, there was no indication of foul play.

Bunoan said it has been eight days since her son died, yet they have received no update from the Navy.

“Our family needs justice for Aldwayne over what happened to him,” Bunoan said in a mix of English and Filipino.

In a statement, the Navy said that it has extended its condolences to Dulnuan’s family. The agency said it has contacted the family and offered support and assistance. — Jean Mangaluz/BAP, GMA News