Animal cruelty case filed against Axle’s killer after third attempt

BAGUIO CITY — After the filing of a case against the person who beat a dog to death was rejected twice, the Sadanga Municipal Police (MPS) pursued its investigation, gathered sufficient backing, and filed a case which was finally accepted by the Office of the Prosecutor and is now considered officially filed.

Initially, the case was filed twice but was rejected due to insufficient evidence. The Sadanga MPS continued its investigation, dedicated to strengthening the evidence and ensuring compliance with all necessary legal requirements.

Their persistence resulted in the case being accepted on the third filing attempt. On 15 December 2025, the Sadanga MPS formally referred the case to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Bontoc, Mountain Province. The accused is being charged with a violation of Republic Act No. 8485, the Animal Welfare Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10631.

The filing marks a significant move toward achieving accountability for the alleged animal cruelty. The Mountain Province Police Provincial Office (MPPPO) provided extensive support to ensure the case was legally robust. The MPPPO sought guidance and legal opinions from various sources, including judges, prosecutors, private lawyers, and Philippine National Police (PNP) lawyers, to build an airtight case.

MPPI PCOL Marcelo B. Polig, who in his statement said he is an animal lover himself, acknowledged the support and determination of the public, volunteers, animal welfare advocates, and organizations. He noted that the collective action helped ensure that accountability was pursued and affirmed the commitment to protecting animals.

He also invited advocates to conduct lectures and information dissemination in the province to further educate the community and prevent future incidents.