MANILA, Philippines — The mother of a 19-year-old cadet who died at a maritime academy in Calamba City, Laguna, after allegedly being punished for sending a thumbs-up emoji to a group chat, is calling for justice for her son.
In a phone interview on Sunday, Ana delos Reyes 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. Their two nephews accompanied them.
“I don’t know which police unit will investigate,” Ana told INQUIRER.net.
“But I vowed, I will not allow it to end just like that. He was my son. We dreamed together, and then they did this to him,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. “It is painful for a parent to lose a child.”
“Sa sinapit ng anak ko, mahirap tanggapin pero pilit tatanggapin. Ang tanging hinihiling ko lang ay justice para sa anak ko,” she added.
“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,” Ana said.
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.
“When I read the report about the group chat, I first asked them (witnesses) to describe Vince. They said he was very kind and quiet. When I asked if he had spoken badly or spoke in a proud manner, they said no,” she 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 declared dead on arrival at a hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing and collapsing in his cabin at the NTMA.
Citing witnesses’ statements, Ana pointed out that something more might have happened to her son since the punishment was done inside a room. She also said it was impossible for Vince to collapse, knowing that her son’s health had always been in good condition.
“A classmate said that it’s easy for Delos Reyes to do 300 [push ups]. His body is fit, and he can even do 1,000,” Vince’s mother emphasized.
“It is impossible that he’ll have a heart attack. They are very strict with their medical, and he also underwent one,” she said.
A mother’s 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.
“When my son comes home I 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.
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.
She added that many of her son’s friends visited his wake and apologized since they were unaware of what happened to Vince.
NTMA personnel were guarding the wake 24 hours a day, switching shifts.
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“They are not leaving us. They are welcome here. Of course, they are people, too. I can’t tell them to go,” she said.
Before the funeral, Ana said that Vince’s body underwent an autopsy, but the results showed that the cause of death was “undetermined.”
