Five men accused of mauling British celebrity chef Jason Atherton in Cebu City last year are set to face charges of child abuse, sexual harassment, and physical injuries in court. The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office recommended the elevation of the complaints lodged by Atherton against the individuals involved in the fistfight that took place in December 2022 at a resto-bar in Barangay Kasambagan. The accused are Butch Prieto Soreno, Inaki Ramon Bernedo Ibarlucea, Jericho Leonardi Porras Bolongan, Richard Doncillo Cervantes, and Doughlas Cervantes.
According to Assistant City Prosecutor Misty Leah Escolar-Hupp, there is probable cause to charge Soreno with violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (Republic Act No. 7610). The other four defendants are found to have probable cause for violating the Safe Spaces Act (RA No. 11313), or the Anti-Bastos Law. All five accused will also face complaints for physical injuries under the Revised Penal Code.
The case against the sixth respondent, Neil Pepito, was dismissed due to lack of evidence. While Atherton claimed that Pepito threatened him, no CCTV recording of their encounter in the parking lot was presented.
The resolution was promulgated on March 9 and shared with the media on August 15. The accused’s legal counsel, Inocencio Dela Cerna, stated that they would answer the charges in court and hoped that the City Prosecutor’s Office would issue its decision soon on the Serious Physical Injuries cases they lodged against Atherton.
The incident involving the Michelin-starred chef gained attention when a viral video showed a mauling incident at a resto-bar in Barangay Kasambagan. Soreno, Ibarlucea, Bolongan, and the Cervanteses accused Atherton of provoking the altercation. Atherton claimed that he did so in response to Soreno allegedly asking his 17-year-old daughter inappropriate questions.
Atherton’s daughter reported that Soreno approached her twice while she was queuing in the lavatory, asking her to engage in sexual intercourse with him inside the restroom. Soreno denied these allegations and stated that he merely asked the 17-year-old how she was doing, but she told him to back off.
The assistant city prosecutor found probable cause to refer the matter to trial courts based on CCTV footage that supported Atherton’s allegations against Soreno. The prosecution also elevated the charges against Ibarlucea, Bolongan, and the Cervanteses to a trial court, citing evidence from CCTV recordings that demonstrated their actions violating the Safe Spaces Act.
Restobars in Cebu are expected to increase security personnel following the incident involving the international chef. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI-7) has also filed charges against the individuals accused of mauling Atherton.
In summary, five men will face child abuse, sexual harassment, and physical injuries charges in court for the mauling incident involving British celebrity chef Jason Atherton in Cebu City. The charges were recommended by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office based on evidence and CCTV recordings supporting the allegations. Meanwhile, the case against one of the respondents was dismissed due to lack of evidence. The accused individuals will answer the charges in court, and the City Prosecutor’s Office is expected to issue a decision on the Serious Physical Injuries cases filed by Atherton soon. Restobars in Cebu will enhance security measures following the incident, and the NBI-7 has also filed charges against the individuals involved.
