Four PNPA cadets charged with violating Anti-Hazing Law before Cavite prosecutor

November 15, 2019

Police on Thursday filed criminal charges against the four Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadets who allegedly maltreated Fourth Class Cadet John Desiderio last October.

Cavite Provincial Police Office chief, Police Colonel Marlon Santos identified them as Third Class Cadet Jovan Sernat, Second Class Cadet Clarence Cabucos, Third Class Cadet Arron Dahryl Villanueva and Third Class Cadet Paul Birung.

Violation of  the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 was filed against the respondents at Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Imus City, Cavite.

According to the PNPA, it was found out during investigation that the other cadet is not criminally liable as he did not participate in the alleged hazing.

"Based on their investigation the other cadet was not included in the criminal charge because the investigator on case from Silang Municipal Police Station do not find connection or direct participation on said acts perpetrated," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Byron Allatog, the PNPA spokesman, in a text message to  The Daily Manila Shimbun.

Allatog did not name the cadet.

"But as far as the administrative charge being undertaken by PNPA, five cadets are charged," he added.

Desiderio was brought to the hospital last month after complaining of stomach pains following an alleged maltreatment by five of his upper classmen.

Allatog earlier said Desiderio is back at the academy and still resting. Ella Dionisio/DMS