PNP to investigate death of SAF trainee

June 5, 2019

Philippine National Police ( PNP) General Oscar Albayalde said they will investigate the death of a Special Action Force trainee in Batangas to find out if there are possible lapses on their part.

Last June 2, SAF trainee Pat. Manny Jose Baldonado, 27, accidentally drowned during a practical exercise on diagnostic combat swim by the SAF- Training Branch waterborne instructors at Calatagan, Batangas.

“We already talked to the Deputy SAF Director because there is a report (of drowning). We will look into it and we really need to investigate (the incident),” Albayalde told reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City Tuesday.

“If there are lapses, we have to improve (the training) to prevent this kind of incidents,” he added.

Albayalde said they are not sure what caused Baldonado’s death.

“There is no clear (reason) what cause his death...What they are saying is he experienced heart attack even before he drowned,” he said.

“We are looking into it… maybe we have to improve on the safety precautions that we need to put up there,” he said.

Baldonado was declared dead on arrival at a hospital even after his instructors applied first aid. Ella Dionisio/DMS