Was there Foul Play in Pinoy Deck Cadet’s Death? Family Seeks Probe
Not discounting a foul play, the relatives of a deck cadet from Iloilo are seeking an investigation into his death aboard a vessel heading for Singapore from Brazil last month.
Relatives of Felipe Borra III have sought help from various Philippine government agencies to probe his death, GMA Iloilo reported Wednesday.
The House of Representatives may even look into the matter after Angkla party-list Rep. Jesulito Manalo filed a resolution seeking an investigation.
“Ang assistance na pino-provide ng provincial government… ang nagbigay ng sapat na atensyon sa pamilya… Nagkipag-coordinate rin ito sa office ni Congressman Manalo,” said Iloilo Vice Governor Raul Tupas.
Borra, a native of Sara in Iloilo was found dead aboard the M/V Sanko Fortune while it was heading for Singapore last March 20 (PHL time).
He was a fourth-year marine transportation cadet of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University.
While Borra’s relatives were informed that he hanged himself, they had trouble believing it.
“Naniniwala kami na hinding-hindi magagawa ng brother ko na mag-suicide katulad ng pinapalabas ngayon,” said Borra’s sister Mar Fe Borra Esmeralda.
For his part, Rep. Manalo said he will call Philippine Overseas Employment Administration head Hans Leo Cacdac and ask for facts of the case.
He also said they will need to recover Borra’s remains, and conduct an autopsy, adding that some photos he got indicated the hook to where the so-called belt was attached to hang himself was too small.
“If you hang something there, a body as big as that, the hook can be destroyed. So there are certain grounds (for) disbelief in this story,” Manalo said.