Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780029351922243405827_158126383176936_3417404427511668631_n (1) (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippine Army on Friday confirmed the death of two candidate soldiers during a military training at the School for Candidate Soldier under the Initial Military Training Group of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRACOM) in Tarlac.<em> Philippine Army﻿/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Army on Friday confirmed the death of two candidate soldiers during a military training at the School for Candidate Soldier under the Initial Military Training Group of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRACOM) in Tarlac.</p><p>The fatalities were identified as a 19-year-old trainee from Davao del Norte and a 24-year-old trainee from Basilan, both belonging to Candidate Soldier Class 806-2026.</p><p>According to Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, the two recruits collapsed while attending formation activities on May 26, Tuesday, just a day after the official start of their training.</p><p>“During sa kanilang formation, mga around 1 p.m., nag-collapse ang dalawang trainees natin. Immediately, dinala sila sa Tarlac Provincial Hospital. Kinagabihan, doon na bumigay ang katawan,” Dema-ala told defense reporters in a phone interview.</p><p>The official said the recruits had passed all required medical examinations before entering training.</p><p>“During the recruitment process, they passed the medical examinations na ginawa sa kanila, so they [were] physically and mentally fit during the training,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HEATSTROKE?</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Dema-ala said the Army is investigating all possible factors surrounding the deaths, including the possibility of heat-related illness.</p><p>“Isa ito [heatstroke] sa tinitignan natin kasi lumalabas na this is the first day ng kanilang actual training. Ang heat index sa Tarlac ay mataas din, so yun din ang tinitingnan natin,” he noted.</p><p>According to Dema-ala, there are currently no indications of foul play, although investigation remains ongoing.</p><p>“Sa initial report na binigay sa atin, wala tayong nakikitang foul play but tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang investigation natin. As to the medical side naman, we are still waiting for the final report nung Tarlac Provincial Hospital as to the cause,” the official said.</p><p>He then continued, “On the part of the Philippine Army Headquarters, the Army Chief Surgeon tinitignan ang medical record ng examination na ginawa during the recruitment process para ma-correlate natin lahat ng possible documents para makapag-come up tayo ng final result sa investigation.”</p><p>Dema-ala also confirmed that the two immediate training superiors of the deceased trainees have been temporarily relieved from their posts pending the outcome of the investigation.</p><p>“Yung dalawang training superiors… temporarily ni-relieve sa kanilang positions while ongoing ang investigation. Pinalitan sila muna to augment para tuluy-tuloy ang training,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ADDITIONAL MEASURES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Following the incident, the Philippine Army implemented additional measures to protect trainees from extreme heat and dehydration during training activities.</p><p>“As of now, ang initial na ginawa natin to mitigate yung init na rin at yung weather, yung formations na ginagawa natin ginagawa na sa loob ng covered court. Naglagay din tayo ng drums with cold water doon sa mga stations kung saan ang activities ng trainees natin. Dinoble rin natin ang hydration ng trainees to ensure na hindi sila ma-dehydrate o ma-heatstroke during the training,” Dema-ala explained.</p><p>The remains of the two trainees are still in Tarlac City as authorities coordinate with their families for transportation back to their respective hometowns.</p><p>In an earlier statement, the Philippine Army extended its condolences to the families, loved ones and fellow trainees of the two recruits.</p><p>The TRACOM also reiterated its commitment to producing “world-class, multi-mission ready and cross-domain capable soldiers” through professional, disciplined and humanitarian training, while emphasizing that the Army strictly prohibits any form of violence, maltreatment or abuse in military instruction and training activities.</p><p>“TRACOM assures the public that accountability, transparency and the welfare of every trainee remain among its highest priorities as it continues to uphold the values of honor, professionalism and service to the nation,” it said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e48M6QYlfZ0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The fatalities were identified as a 19-year-old trainee from Davao del Norte and a 24-year-old trainee from Basilan, both belonging to Candidate Soldier Class 806-2026.</p>

The fatalities were identified as a 19-year-old trainee from Davao del Norte and a 24-year-old trainee from Basilan, both belonging to Candidate Soldier Class 806-2026.

PH Army probes death of two trainees in Tarlac

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PH Army probes death of two trainees in Tarlac

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 29, 2026 12:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Army

military training

recruits

trainees

heatstroke

heat index

Colonel Louie Dema-ala

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