Ifugao pilot dies during Navy training; family seeks truth, alleges torture

KIANGAN, Ifugao — A young pilot from Ifugao whose dream was to become a Philippine Navy officer died during military training in Zambales, leaving his family and community grieving while seeking answers over the circumstances surrounding his death.

Aldwayne Agnaonao Bunoan Dulnuan, a native of Kiangan, Ifugao, was remembered by family and friends as a young man full of ambition and determination. After earning his private pilot's license in 2024, he took another step toward his dream by enrolling in the Philippine Navy's Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC), a rigorous training program that prepares civilians to become commissioned naval officers.

Instead of celebrating his graduation, however, his family received the heartbreaking news on July 22 that Dulnuan had died while undergoing training in Zambales.

His relatives have alleged that he may have been subjected to torture during training, although no official findings have been released to support the claim. They are calling on authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to determine the true cause of his death.

Family members and supporters said they found it difficult to believe that Dulnuan, who was known for his athleticism and physical fitness, would succumb to the demands of military training without other circumstances being involved.

"The people of Kiangan are demanding transparency, justice, and most importantly, the truth. It is hard to believe that he could not endure the training considering his athleticism and physical fitness. Those responsible, if any, must be held accountable," one netizen wrote in a Facebook post calling for justice for Dulnuan.

The call for a full investigation has also gained support from other communities across the Cordillera, with many expressing sympathy for the bereaved family and urging authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the young pilot's death.

As of the first day of the traditional vigil, or bohwat, held in Huliaban, Kiangan, on July 26, the family said they had yet to receive an official statement from the Philippine Navy regarding the incident.

Dulnuan will be laid to rest in his hometown in Ifugao on July 30, 2026.