“Today we are remembering Felipe III’s 21^st birthday. If he is still alive, he has a lot of dreams and aspirations. He really dreams to become an international ship captain someday. But how can he fulfill his dreams now? He was gone forever,” lamented Marilyn Borra, mother of Deck Cadet Felipe Borra III.

The House Committee on Labor and Employment conducted an investigation and inquiry on the death of Seafarer Borra on Wednesday, May 20. The probe over the incidents that led to the death of Borra was made possible by House Resolution No. 2017 introduced by ANGKLA Party-List Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo.

Borra was found dead in his cabin on March 20, on board M/V Sanko Fortune, with his belt tied around his neck. Questions surround the untimely death of Borra, as the relatives still could not believe the claim of the M/V Sanko Fortune shipping company that he hanged himself.

Atty. Emmanuel Brotarlo, the Legal Counsel of the Borra family, pointed out in the hearing that the case of Borra should serve as an eye opener to the concerned government agencies, maritime educational institutions, manning agencies, ship owners and/or managers on the vulnerability of seafarers while on board foreign vessels.

“I know no amount of words could assuage the grief of the mother for the death of her son Felipe Borra III, but the thought that her son died so that the other deck and/or engine cadets, who wish to become full pledge seafarers, may be well-protected can make a difference,” said Atty. Botarlo.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was also invited in the hearing, as they have conducted their own autopsy of the cadet who has been autopsied earlier in Singapore. The initial findings of the Medico Legal team of NBI showed remarkable disparities from the autopsy made by Singaporean authorities.

“Singaporean autopsy reports that the cause of (Borra’s) death was hanging…There were no marks or external injuries present (in Borra’s body). We found out several external physical injuries present on his face, chest, and on his arm, forearm, and the fingers…all of which are ante-mortem,” noted Dr. Wilfredo Tierra, head of the NBI Medico Legal.

Congressman Manalo obliged the Fil-Star Maritime Corp, the local manning agency of Sanko Lines, to cooperate in the investigation. Fil-Star Maritime Corp expressed its eagerness to cooperate in unearthing the truth behind the cadet’s death.

Borra was engaged in a one-year board cadetship training program under Fil-Star Maritime, as part of his completion of his BS Marine Transportation degree in John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime replica breitling University. He was supposed to graduate as Cum Laude in his BS Marine Transportation course this month.

ANGKLA Party-List remains adamant in this quest for truth and in protecting all the Filipinos on board foreign vessels.

The family and their legal counsel asking for the help of concerned agencies as they assert that Cadet Borra was a victim. From left to right: Mrs. Marilyn Borra (mother of Cadet Borra), Ms. Marfe Borra Esmeralda (sister of Cadet Borra), and Atty. Emmanuel Brotarlo (legal counsel of the Borra family)

Dr. Wilfredo Tierra, Head of the Medico-Legal of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), informing the Committee on Labor and Employment and the Borra family that they found ante-mortem injuries on the cadet’s body.

Committee on Labor and Employment conducts probe on Cadet Borra’s death.

ANGKLA Party-List Congressman Jesulito A. Manalo leading the quest for truth.