PMA Plebe Dies Due To Internal Bleeding From Ulcer

One month after entering the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), a 19-year-old plebe dies due to excessive internal bleeding caused by a stomach ulcer. Erwin Christian Vergara, from Alcala, Cagayan, passed away on May 1, Labor Day.

According to a Sun Star report, PMA resident doctor Colonel Sheila Marie Jardiolyn declared the cause of death as “hypovolemic shock secondary to upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to gastric and duodenal ulcer.” Vergara reportedly complained of abdominal pain on April 25, after which he was brought to the Baguio General Hospital.

Undetected Ulcer As The Culprit, Not Hazing

Col. Jardiolyn dispelled rumors that Vergara was a victim of hazing, saying that the cadet did not have any bruising. She told the Inquirer that he may have been suffering from stomach ulcer before he was accepted into the academy.

Although he underwent the required medical examinations before entry, Jardiolyn said that the ulcer was not detected because it required specialized procedures. These were only done after he complained of severe abdominal pains. She also said that Vergara liked to “keep things to himself,” according to his mother.

Vergara was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of BGH on April 25. After several blood transfusions, he showed signs of improving and eventually transferred out of ICU. On May 1, however, internal bleeding occurred again until he lost too much blood. This led to hypovolemic shock which caused his death.

Parents Bring Him Home To Cagayan

Vergara hails from Alcala, Cagayan. His parents brought his remains home on May 2, after he was given military honors by PMA. According to Jardiolyn, his parents decided not to conduct an autopsy as suggested by PMA.

As one of the 293 entrants who joined the training on April 1, Vergara was already halfway through the training that will qualify him as a cadet. Sun Star also reports that in light of this incident, the academy will review their rules for physical and medical examinations in order to prevent this from happening again.