Fallen cadet died from cardiac arrest after routine afternoon run, says PNPA head

Screengrab from the PNPA website.

MANILA, Philippines — The police cadet who passed away on Saturday died of cardiac arrest, the Philippine National Police (PNPA) said in a statement on Sunday.

According to PNPA director Maj. Gen. Alexander Sampaga, New Cadet Rafael Sakkam was immediately brought to the hospital last June 7 after falling unconscious during an afternoon road run.

Sakkam was said to have suffered heat stroke, which PNPA said was confirmed in his medical certificate and final diagnosis.

“The [PNPA] mourns the passing of New Cadet Rafael D Sakkam, who joined our Creator on June 18, 2022. The attending physician declared him dead at about 6:01 PM due to cardiac arrest while confined in the intensive care unit of Qualimed Hospital in Sta Rosa City, Laguna,” Sampaga said.

“New Cadet Sakkam was immediately admitted to the said hospital on June 7, 2022, after becoming unconscious during an afternoon road run due to heat stroke (later confirmed in his medical certificate and final diagnosis),” he said added.

Sampaga noted that their Tactics Group has already adopted measures to ensure that cadets doing the training are properly hydrated to prevent similar incidents.

“Following the said incident, the Commandant, Tactics Group adopted tight measures and suitable interventions to guarantee sufficient hydration of all cadets during summer training and to prevent a repeat of the same from happening,” he said.

“We would like to reassure the public that the PNPA Administration will never cease working to establish effective yet proactive approaches to our cadets’ training and development, with top priority given to their health, safety, and well-being,” he added.

Initially, there were reports that Sakkam died after he collapsed last June 3 due to difficulty in breathing during the reception rites, where cadets are supposedly tasked to do a series of exercises to test their endurance.

READ: PNPA cadet succumbs after reception rites 

However, PNPA said that some reports contained inaccuracies about what really transpired.

Sakkam, who was supposed to graduate as part of PNPA Class 2026, was survived by his family from Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.  PNPA said that the expenses incurred from Sakkam’s hospitalization and burial were shouldered by the academy.

Sampaga also noted that strict Islamic traditions were observed during the cadet’s burial.

“The needs of Cadet Sakkam were all provided by the PNPA Administration during his hospitalization until his burial today following strict Islamic tradition. The family is likewise requesting for privacy as they mourn his demise,” Sampaga said.

“We would like to reassure the public that the PNPA Administration will never cease working to establish effective yet proactive approaches to our cadets’ training and development, with top priority given to their health, safety, and well-being,” he added.

EDV