The Philippine Army (PA) revealed on Friday, May 29, that it has suspended two training personnel and ordered an internal investigation following the death of two recruits who collapsed during formation after just one day of undergoing training at the headquarters of the Army’s Training Command (TRACOM) in Capas, Tarlac.

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the incident happened on May 26. The fatalities were identified as a 19-year-old from Davao del Norte and a 24-year-old from Basilan, and their bodies would be brought to Mindanao for burial, Dema-ala said.

The two recruits, who were part of Candidate Soldier Course Class 806-2026 under the School for Candidate Soldier of the Initial Military Training Group, suddenly collapsed during formation at noontime.

“Based on the initial report we received, they were in formation following their lunch and classroom lectures when the two recruits suddenly collapsed,” Dema-ala said.

The recruits were rushed to Tarlac Provincial Hospital but both were declared dead later that night.

Meanwhile, Dema-ala confirmed that two training personnel directly handling the recruits were relieved from their duties and placed under investigation.

“They are at the Training Command as part of the ongoing investigation,” he said.

Dema-ala said the Army has yet to determine the exact cause of death as investigators are looking into all circumstances surrounding the incident, including possible medical conditions that may have been triggered during training.

“As of now, the initial report that reached us shows no physical indication that foul play was involved,” he noted.

The Army said both recruits underwent complete medical examinations before entering training.

“All of them underwent complete medical examinations. That is why we are looking into this, because there are instances when underlying medical concerns may have been triggered during the training,” Dema-ala said.

The deaths came just a day after the start of training on May 25 and Dema-ala stressed that the recruits have not yet undergone intense physical exercises aside from reveille routines, or morning calisthenics designed to build combat readiness, strength, discipline, and endurance among soldiers and trainees.

“Usually, their activities consist of reveille, lectures, lunch, more lectures, then another formation in the evening before they go to sleep,” he said.

The Army has since made adjustments to training activities while the probe is ongoing.

“The minor adjustment we made in their training is that the formations are now being conducted inside a covered court,” Dema-ala said. He added that water drums filled with cold water were also placed in “strategic areas” to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.

In a separate statement, the Army’s TRACOM said it strictly upholds policies that prohibit any form of violence, maltreatment or abuse in the conduct of military instruction and training activities.

“We will not speculate as to the cause of death,” Dema-ala said. “We ask the public to allow the investigation to proceed and to avoid spreading unverified claims that may cause further distress to the families.”