PNPA ‘hazing’ case: 4 cadets charged

MANILA, Philippines — Four cadets in the alleged hazing of Cadet 4th Class John Desiderio at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) have been charged with violation of the Anti-Hazing Law, police said Friday.

Maj. Resty Soriano, Silang, Cavite police chief, told INQUIRER.net that the case was filed before the Imus City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday.

The respondents were identified as Cadets 3rd Class Jovan Sernat, Arron Dahryl Villanueva and Raul Birung, and Cadet 2nd Class Clarence Cabucos.

Soriano said the complaint was filed by the 19-year-old victim, who was assisted by the local police.

Lt. Col. Byron Allatog, PNPA spokesperson, also confirmed that the criminal case has been filed.

The four cadets were tagged in the affidavit-complaint of Desiderio, who was hospitalized on October 29 after complaining of stomach pains.

Five cadets were earlier tagged in the affidavit-complaint of Desiderio.

Allatog, however, said that upon investigation, the police found that one of the cadets is not involved in the alleged hazing.

The PNPA reported the alleged maltreatment nearly two months after the death of Philippine Military Academy Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio on September 18, due to hazing allegedly by his upperclassmen.

GSG