7 ordered confined over Army trainee's death

MANILA, Philippines - The military has started its probe on the death of an Army trainee during a jungle survival training over the weekend by ordering the confinement of seven training staff of the Light Armor Division. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Tuesday that LAD commander Maj. Samuel Narcise has also ordered the relief of LAD school commandant Col. Robert Dauz pending separate investigations by the Army and the police. “All the training staff involved in the training had been confined or restricted to barracks while the investigation is going on,” Brawner said. He did not identify the involved personnel. A training staff is usually composed of 10 to 15 men, Brawner said. Brawner said the relief of Dauz is only temporary to give way to the investigation. Josephus dela Rosa, the victim, died last Saturday while he and his classmates at the Candidate Soldier Course class 187 were on a jungle survival training inside the LAD headquarters in Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac. Dela Rosa’s father, Scout Ranger M/Sgt Justiniano dela Rosa, said his son’s death may have been caused by hazing, noting the bruises on his son’s body. Citing information reaching him, Brawner said the younger Dela Rosa lost consciousness during the training. “When he was brought to the hospital, he was declared dead on arrival,” he said. Brawner said the LAD leadership has also asked Capas police to initiate their own probe to ensure an impartial investigation. He said the Army will cooperate in the probe. - GMANews.TV