PNPA cadet dies of heatstroke while jogging

A cadet of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) died after suffering from heatstroke during training earlier this week, according to Darlene Cay's report on Unang Balita on Thursday.

Al-Rasheed Macadato, 21, and other cadets were jogging at the PNPA Oval on Tuesday afternoon when he and four others collapsed.

The five were immediately brought to the dispensary for first aid treatment. Macadato, who was reportedly in critical condition, was brought to a hospital after two hours.

Macadato, whose family is from Bukidnon, died the following morning.

His mother, Cindy, blamed "lapses" on the part of PNPA authorities for her son's death.

"Bakit ganun? May lapses talaga," she said.

"Dapat tinawag agad yung Qualimed [Hospital], hindi yung first aid-first aid lang kasi nakita nila nanghihina na ang anak ko." 

The family said they were not informed that Macadato was in critical condition.

According to the PNPA, they followed standard operating procedure in handling Macadato.

"Siguro sa first impression ng doctors na nag-conduct sa kanya is I think they know better than an ordinary police officer na siguro stable condition siya, that's why hindi siya agad dinala sa ospital," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Byron Allatog, PNP public information officer.

Attalog likewise denied that Macadato died from hazing, saying the exercise was just an ordinary physical activity among PNPA cadets.

In a statement, PNPA Superintendent Police Brigader General Chiquito Malayo said the academy is saddened by Macadato's death and assured the cadet's family of assistance.

It said an investigation will also be conducted to determine if there were lapses committed in handling the situation. —KBK, GMA News