Officials in mass anti-dengue vaccination drive face new raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Monday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) six new criminal complaints against health officials responsible for the massive Dengvaxia vaccination campaign.

“Six criminal cases have been filed today so umabot na po sa total na 55 (the total has reached 55 cases),” PAO chief Persida Acosta told reporters in a press conference after filing the complaints.

The new complaints were in connection with the deaths of school children who received Dengvaxia, namely Renelyn Avellanosa (Cavite); Psalm Dioquino (Bulacan); Lalaine Laylay (Las Piñas); Levie Losanga (Quezon City); Theresa Romano, (Bulacan); and Lennon Carl Ribo (Taguig City).

The complaints will form part of the fifth batch of Dengvaxia cases against those behind the vaccination campaign, Acosta noted.

DOJ has already found probable cause to indict those named as respondents in the first batch of complaints filed by PAO while the second and third batches of complaints have already been submitted for resolution.

The fourth batch, meanwhile, is currently under DOJ’s preliminary investigation and is set to be concluded next month.