MANILA, Philippines鈥擳he mother of a 19-year-old cadet who died at a maritime academy in Calamba City, Laguna, allegedly after being punished over a thumbs-up emoji, is calling for justice for her son.
鈥淲hat 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,鈥� Ana delos Reyes told 黑料社 in Filipino.
In a phone interview on Sunday, she shared the harrowing experience of their family upon hearing about the death of her son, Cadet Vince Andrew Anihon Delos Reyes, on July 8.
According to Ana, the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) informed her about what happened via phone, prompting her and her husband to travel from their home in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, to Barangay Canlubang in Calamba City, where the academy is located. Their two nephews accompanied them.
Kind and quiet
Upon arriving in Calamba, Ana recounted that they visited the Calamba City Police Station, where a suspect identified only as Nathaniel was brought along with four other unnamed witnesses whom she talked to.
鈥淲hen 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 or bragged, they said he did not,鈥� Ana said.
She also asked them about the content of the group chat and what could have prompted the senior to punish Vince, but none of the witnesses gave Ana a clear answer.
Based on police reports, the cadet was ordered by Nathaniel to perform physical exercises as a consequence for accidentally sending a thumbs-up emoji to a group chat of the corps of cadets.
During the exercises, Delos Reyes reportedly experienced difficulty breathing and collapsed in his cabin at the NTMA. He was initially taken to the school infirmary and later rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Citing witnesses鈥� statements, Ana pointed out that something more might have happened to her son since the punishment was done inside a room. She said it was impossible for Vince to collapse, knowing that her son鈥檚 health had always been in good condition.
鈥淎 classmate said that it鈥檚 easy for Delos Reyes to do 300 [push-ups]. His body is fit, and he can even do 1,000,鈥� Vince鈥檚 mother emphasized.
鈥淚t is impossible that he鈥檒l have a heart attack. They are very strict with their medical [checkup], and he also underwent one,鈥� she said.
A mother鈥檚 grief and plea
Ana also pointed out that Vince had always been honest with her, never failed to update the family about his whereabouts, and was always focused on his goal to finish his studies.
鈥淲hen my son would come home, I would always ask how he was. I said son, don鈥檛 hesitate to tell me if they are bullying or harassing you. Don鈥檛 keep it a secret if you are experiencing something like that, but he told me that nothing like that was happening,鈥� Ana said.
According to her, Vince, a second-year college student, was aware of their status in life and even promised the family that he would finish his studies on time and help them.
鈥淚t is painful for a parent to lose a child,鈥� she said.
Vince鈥檚 body lies at the family鈥檚 residence in Brgy. Tagumpay, Baco. There was an outpouring of sympathy from friends, former classmates, local officials, and even from people they met for the first time.
Ana said the NTMA personnel were guarding the wake 24 hours a day, switching shifts.
鈥淭hey are not leaving us,鈥� Ana said. 鈥淭hey are welcome here. Of course, they are people, too. I can鈥檛 tell them to go.鈥�
Meanwhile, Ana said that she has no idea which police unit will be investigating the case.
鈥淏ut I vowed, I will not allow it to end just like that. He鈥檚 my son. We dreamed together, and then they did this to him,鈥� she said, her voice breaking with emotion.
Ana said that Vince鈥檚 body underwent an autopsy, but the results showed that the cause of death was 鈥渦ndetermined.鈥�