A rookie cop has drowned in Batangas province while training to join an elite national unit, police said yesterday.
The officer accidentally drowned while training Sunday at a training facility owned by the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force, or SAF, in Barangay (Village) Baha in Calatagan town, according to the police report.
He was identified as 27-year-old Manny Jose Baldonado of Santiago City in Isabela province by CNN Philippines. Baldonado reportedly held the rank of patrolman, the lowest in the force.
Authorities said SAF training instructors tried reviving Baldonado before transporting him to the Metro Balayan Medical Center, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. He was declared dead on arrival.
Friends wrote condolences on Baldonado’s Facebook page, where he had been documenting his training.
“You will always be remembered no matter what. Your presence, love and kindness will forever be with us. Rest for now until we meet again,” user Bvrlyn Ntvdad wrote.
His death came just over a year after another cop drowned during a water-training exercise in Bataan province.
The SAF is the counterterrorism unit of the national police. It’s is known for rigorous training to prepare cops for search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and hostage rescue operations.
