THE Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has recommended the filing of charges against the five men who allegedly mauled Michelin Star Chef Jason Atherton at the F Cafe and Bar in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City on the night of December 23, 2022.
The Capitol announced this on Tuesday, August 15, after receiving the joint resolution signed by Assistant City Prosecutor Misty Leah Escolar-Hupp and approved by City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas and Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Theresa Calibugan-Casiño, recommending the filing of a case against Butch Prieto Soreno, Inaki Ramon Bernedo Ibarlucea, Jericho Leonardi Porras Bolongan, Richard Doncillo Cervantes and Douglas Cervantes.
This is in relation to the accusation that Sereno harassed Atherton's 17-year-old daughter inside the restobar, which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act).
Aside from Sereno, the five will also be charged for allegedly glaring, shouting at, and making fun of the chef's daughter, in violation of Section 4 of RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) or the Anti-Bastos Law.
The defendants will also face a case of physical injuries due to the riot and brawl that injured the British chef.
After the incident, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia posted a statement on her Facebook page on Dec. 27, 2022 that she was dismayed with the restobar’s management after some of its workers held Atherton so he “couldn’t fight back.”
Based on the governor’s post, the trouble started after Atherton asked the group of men to apologize to his daughter for allegedly harassing her.(ANV, TPT)