MARITIME ACADEMY CADET DIES WHILE EXERCISING AS PUNISHMENT FOR SENDING EMOJI TO GROUP CHAT

A CADET of the Maritime Academy directed by his senior class officer to perform an exercise as punishment for sending an emoji to a group chat on Monday died in a maritime school in Bgy. Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna.

The victim was identified as 19-year-old Cadet Vince Andrew Anihon Delos Reyes of Conception Tagumpay, Baco, Oriental Mindoro.

According to the Calamba City Police Station, the incident occurred at Cabin 121C, NYK-TDG Maritime Academy in Bgy. Canlubang at 5 p.m. on Monday but was reported only to them at 3:50 a.m. the following day.

Initial investigation showed Delos Reyes was asked by his upper classman, an alias “Nathaniel,” to report to him to discuss a violation.

It was learned that the victim accidentally sent a thumbs up sign instead of the word OK to the group chat of the Corps of Cadets.

After an “evening chow” or dinner, Delos Reyes complied to the order and went to his upper classman’s cabin.

The victim was reportedly ordered to perform physical exercise.  However, Delos Reyes suffered difficulty in  breathing. He held onto the bed bunk then suddenly collapsed to the floor.

Four other cadets named Marvin Kher Pigao Mojica, 21; Norvin Michael Papustol Lugasan, 20; Keith Dranoel Villar Garcia, 19, and  Ira Kenn Ebale Poralan, 19, who witnessed the incident, rushed Delos Reyes to the infirmary for first aid.

Delos Reyes was also subjected to cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before being taken to the Global Care Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival by attending physician, Dr. Frederick Allen Herrera.

The upper classman suspect is being held at the Calamba City Police Station facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.