CHR: Maritime cadet forced to exercise to death

Inquirer/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an investigation into the death of a 19-year-old maritime academy cadet who was allegedly punished by an upperclassman for accidentally sending a “thumbs-up” emoji in a group chat.

Vince Andrew delos Reyes, a sophomore cadet at a merchant marine school in Calamba, Laguna province, died on Monday after performing strenuous physical exercises on orders of a senior student, the CHR said, citing news reports.

READ: Grieving mom seeks justice for cadet who died after emoji punishment

“The Commission has zero tolerance for such actions,” CHR Chair Richard Palpal-latoc said in a statement.

“Such practices not only jeopardize the physical well-being of the student but also violate their dignity and rights,” he said.

Difficulty breathing

Based on a police investigation, Delos Reyes had inadvertently sent the emoji in a cadet corps group chat, allegedly displeasing his seniors. As punishment, the upperclassman reportedly ordered Delos Reyes to perform rigorous exercises after the evening meal.

Delos Reyes then had difficulty breathing and collapsed. He was rushed to an infirmary and later transferred to Global Care Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The CHR said it initiated its investigation through its regional office in Region 4.

Palpal-latoc called for a swift and thorough investigation by the authorities, emphasizing that “severe physical punishments have no place in any educational institution.”

In a phone interview with Inquirer.net, the victim’s mother, Ana said Delos Reyes’ school, NYK-TDG Maritime Academy, informed her about what happened on the phone.

She and her husband, accompanied by two nephews, traveled from their home in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, to Barangay Canlubang in Calamba City, where the academy is located.

Ana said they went to the Calamba City Police Station, where her son’s upperclassman, identified only as “Nathaniel,” had been brought in for questioning, along with four other unnamed witnesses.

‘Very kind, quiet’

“When I read the report about the group chat, I first asked them (the witnesses) what they knew about Vince. They said he was very kind and quiet. When I asked if he ever spoke badly [about anyone] or bragged, they said he did not,” Ana said.

She said her son’s health had always been in good condition, which was why she doubted that he died only by strenuous exercise.

“A classmate said that it’s easy for [my son] to do 300 [push-ups]. His body is fit, and he can even do 1,000,” Ana said.

“It is impossible that he’ll have a heart attack. They are very strict with their medical [checkup], and he also underwent one,” she told Inquirer.net.

Ana said her son previously denied any bullying or harassment at school whenever she asked him.

“When my son would come home, I would always ask how he was. I said, ‘son, don’t hesitate to tell me if they are bullying or harassing you. Don’t keep it a secret if you are experiencing something like that.’ But he told me that nothing like that was happening,” Ana said.

Delos Reyes’ body lies at the family’s residence in Barangay Tagumpay, Baco.

Ana said it was hard for any parent to accept a child’s death.

“What happened to my son is difficult to accept, but I will try to accept it. The only thing I ask for is justice for my son,” she said.