On Saturday, June 18, a cadet of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, died while undergoing treatment for an endurance test he had two weeks prior.
According to a report issued by the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) police on Sunday, June 19, PNPA plebe Rafael Sakkam died at around 6:00 p.m. while being treated in Qualimed Hospital in adjacent Sta. Rosa City in Laguna.
Sakkam, confined in the intensive care unit, died on Saturday at 6:01 p.m. due to cardiac arrest.
The PNPA cadet died of heat stroke, according to his medical certificate and final diagnosis.
According to the report, Sakkam collapsed on June 3 due to respiratory difficulties during the receiving rites and was initially treated at the PNPA dispensary.
The PNPA cadet was transported to Qualimed Hospital for further treatment four days later but died on Saturday.
To avoid repeat tragedies, the PNPA’s Commandant and Tactics Group developed “tight measures” and “suitable interventions” to guarantee that all cadets are well hydrated throughout summer training.
According to the PNPA, the PNPA Administration met all of Sakkam’s demands from the time he was hospitalized until his funeral on Sunday, in accordance with strict Islamic tradition.
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PNPA cadet dies of heat stroke during reception rites
The family has requested privacy as they grieve the PNPA cadet’s death, according to the PNPA.
“The family is likewise requesting privacy as they mourn his demise,” it 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,” the PNPA said.
The PNPA also slammed social media platforms for allegedly misleading reports about Sakkam’s death.
“Sakkam was immediately admitted to the said hospital on June 7, 2022, after becoming unconscious during an afternoon road run due to heat stroke (that was later confirmed in his medical certificate and final diagnosis),” the PNP explained, opposing Calabarzon’s (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) police report released Sunday morning.
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