“We are not against the organization but the perpetrators. Kasi dayta maulit-ulit” — Aldwayne's father seeks truth, justice in Navy trainee's death

Kiangan, Ifugao — The father of Philippine Navy trainee Aldwayne Dulnuan is calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into his son's death, saying the family cannot simply accept the initial finding that the young officer trainee died of heat stroke.

When Guru Press Cordillera visited Kiangan on July 29, Dulnuan's family had just given their consent for an autopsy to be conducted on his body in hopes of determining what really happened and what caused his questionable death.

Speaking during an interview, Aldwayne's father, Arnold Dulnuan, said he believes there is more to his son's death than the initial explanation released by the Philippine Navy.

"Dagidiay leader ti training institute, immay da impakada idi maminsan (visit to the wake), kunak ket umay da latta. Tapno makatungtong ko isuda ta bareng awan ti whitewash," he said.

The grieving father emphasized that their family is not blaming the Philippine Navy as an institution but wants those responsible, if any wrongdoing is proven, to be held accountable.

"Because we are not against the whole organization but those perpetrators. Dapat ket mapunish kasi... ta ma-clean up-an. Kasi dayta maulit-ulit. Sigurado nga inara-aramid da dayta nga nagparparigat da ti ubing. Nagkataon siguro nga awan ti cas-casualty," he explained.

Dulnuan said all the family wants is for the investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that anyone found responsible will be brought to justice.

Family in grief

The pain of losing Aldwayne was evident throughout the family's home.

His mother, still struggling to accept the sudden loss of her son, broke down in tears when a video montage showing Aldwayne's athletic achievements and personal videos was played during the wake.

"Ay na, naggwapo ti anak ko, ngem awanen," she said before sobbing and comforted by those around.

Friends and relatives as well as the neighbors who came to pay their respects likewise expressed disbelief over the sudden death of the young man, saying it was difficult to reconcile the reported cause of death with the healthy and athletic person they had known.

According to the family, Aldwayne responded to the invitation to undergo training for the Philippine Navy's Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC) after successfully completing his studies and earning his license as a private pilot. He had been in training for barely a month when the family received the devastating news that he had died while undergoing military training in Zambales.

A relative also shared the sacrifices made by Aldwayne's father to provide a better future for his children. For many years, he worked overseas to finance their education and had only recently returned home for good, hoping to spend more time with his family after years of working abroad.

Instead of enjoying that long-awaited reunion, the family now finds itself mourning the loss of the son they had worked so hard to raise.

The Philippine Navy earlier announced that Aldwayne was initially diagnosed with heat stroke after reportedly experiencing dizziness, severe chills, and collapsing during training on July 22. The Navy has said it is reviewing all available evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

For Dulnuan's family, however, the search for answers is far from over.

"We only want a fair investigation. We want the truth to come out. If someone did wrong, they must be identified and punished," the father said.