John Denver Trending 2019

In Pandan, Antique, a 14-year-old student named John Denver Cabungcal Jansen Magpusao attends Sta. Ines Catholic High School. On February 18, after practicing a dance for Director’s Day, he goes to a classroom to grab his bag and leave. A peer named Carlos Samulde Jofranz Ambubuyog immediately accuses him of stealing Makoy’s iPad, which was supposedly in the classroom. When John denies, a fight ensues, and another peer records John beating Carlos, posted on Facebook without context. Having overheard the plan, John learns that the post has gone viral, drawing widespread condemnation from peers and even his father living abroad expressing disappointment.

The next day, Makoy’s mother takes this to the attention of the school principal and the police. John continues pleading innocent, but Carlos argues the rest otherwise, convincing others that the accusation stems from Makoy’s bullying toward John. When John’s mother becomes aware of this, his past disciplinary record is noted, yet she stands by him, saying that if he lies, his nose swells. The school announces an investigation team, and hate toward John grows, culminating in several students beating him up.

With more bullying and national broadcasts, John’s depression deepens. He discovers that Carlos edited a video discussing him to make it seem as if he stole the iPad. He is brought to the police station, where he tearfully pleads innocent, prompting a police officer to scold him, claiming all evidence points to him as the culprit. John escapes from the police station, flees to his house, and dies by hanging. His mother questions his absence, walking home after being reassured that the school will contact police for updates.