A criminal complaint filed by animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Society (PAWS) over the killing of a dog named Axle has hit an unexpected setback after a provincial prosecutor declined to formally accept the case hours after administering the complainants’ oath, according to PAWS.
PAWS said the complaint against the individual accused of killing the dog was sworn before Prosecutor Ringgo Sumedca on Wednesday morning. However, roughly six hours later, the same prosecutor refused to docket or file the case, citing insufficient evidence and unauthenticated closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.
The organization said it had earlier been instructed to return to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor to obtain a docket or investigation number for the complaint. A PAWS representative, Jennel Anecito, who had traveled for 12 hours by bus to file the case, remained at the prosecutor’s office while waiting for further instructions.
According to PAWS, Prosecutor Sumedca later informed PAWS Executive Director Atty. Anna Cabrera by phone that the complaint could not be accepted due to the absence of witnesses and the lack of authenticated CCTV footage.
Cabrera disputed that assessment, saying these issues were already addressed in the complaint and could be resolved during subsequent proceedings. She noted that the police report attached to the filing contained a detailed account of the incident.
The report stated that the suspect, identified as Erwin Faguinney, allegedly struck the dog repeatedly with a piece of wood in front of the owner’s residence, continuing until the animal died. The document was signed by Police Captain Nestor Fuguon, acting chief of police of the Sadanga Municipal Police Station, who was present in Barangay Saclit on December 4, 2025, when the incident reportedly occurred during a relief distribution activity.
PAWS also raised questions about why no arrest was made at the scene and why the killing was reported to the police station two days after the incident, noting that these circumstances were not explained to the organization.
In a statement, PAWS said it could not understand why the complaint was refused after the complainants had already taken their oath. The group argued that receiving a criminal complaint is a ministerial function of the prosecution.
PAWS cited Department Circular No. 028, series of 2024, which states that an expedited preliminary investigation begins upon the filing of a complaint with the prosecution office and that evaluation of its sufficiency follows receipt.
“Prosecutors cannot evaluate what they refuse to receive,” the organization said.
PAWS said it would continue to pursue the case and seek accountability for Axle’s death.
The complaint was prepared by PAWS lawyers following a three-day case buildup conducted by volunteers from December 11 to 13, 2025. The group said its volunteers traveled from Quezon City to Bontoc, visited multiple police stations, and trekked to Barangay Saclig to interview witnesses, including the barangay captain, and to secure certified copies of official police records.
PAWS expressed gratitude to its volunteers and said it remains committed to ensuring that their efforts result in formal legal action.
