NBI probes Coast Guard trainee’s death

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has stepped into the case of a Philippine Coast Guard trainee who died under questionable circumstances late last month.

Dharryll Mojica, 22, was in the last stage of his training on board BRP San Juan when he died. His parents, Arlene and Edgar, wrote to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which endorsed their complaint to the NBI’s Death Investigation Division (DID).

The Mojica family went to the NBI-DID on Oct. 25.

Mojica’s parents said the victim was allowed to go out of the PCG compound on Sept. 23 and he visited his relatives in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

On the night of Sept. 24, Mojica sent a text message saying he was late in returning to the PCG by six minutes and he would learn what his punishment would be the following day.

At around 8:50 a.m. of Sept. 25, a relative received a call from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) informing them that Mojica was brought to the emergency room by the PCG medical personnel, who alleged that the victim was electrocuted while taking a bath.

Mojica’s parents doubt this claim since PGH doctors said two liters of water were extracted from the victim’s lungs, the NBI said.

The victim had also mentioned that he survived “Hell Night,” wherein he was “subjected to physical violence, such as paddling, and what appears to be simultaneous electrocution and waterboarding,” the NBI added.

NBI agents will visit PCG offices and are set to conduct an ocular inspection of the BRP San Juan, where the victim reportedly died.

The investigators are also waiting for a copy of the autopsy report.