This file photo taken in July 2023 shows mall security guard Jojo Malecdem following an incident involving a puppy being thrown from a footbridge near the mall. | PHOTO: Janine Santos
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Prosecutors Office has approved the filing of a criminal case against a mall security guard for throwing a puppy from an elevated footbridge in Quezon City, causing its death.
Facing a case for violating Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act is Jojo Malicdem.
Section 9 of the law punishes any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect by either imprisonment, fine, or both.
In his defense, Malicdem denied tossing the puppy named Brownie. The incident happened in July 2023.
READ: PAWS files criminal complaint vs. mall guard for throwing puppy to death
He said one of the puppy’s owners shoved it in front of his face when he confronted them because vendors and beggars are not allowed to stay on the bridge.
Malicdem said he tried to push the puppy away from his face when he felt something sharp touching his skin. Thinking that he was bitten, he forcefully pushed away the hand of the teenager holding the puppy, causing the puppy to be thrown off the railing.
But the prosecutor said the complainant, Janine Santos, who witnessed the incident, clearly narrated and submitted proof of the incident. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) joined Santos as a complainant.
Santos said Malicdem grabbed the “object” and threw it outside the footbridge railing. She said she learned that the “object” thrown outside the railing was actually a puppy when a concerned pedestrian picked it up.
The prosecutor said Malicdem’s defense was evidentiary and “should be presented, proven, and subject to the court’s determination.”
A P12,000 bail was recommended for Malicdem’s temporary liberty.
The resolution was recommended by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Diovie Macaraig-Calderon and approved by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Chief Division V Jaime Villanueva.