MANILA, Philippines — A case depending on the autopsy result will be filed against the teacher allegedly involved in the death of a grade 5 pupil in Antipolo City, police said on Wednesday.
Francis Jay Gumikib, a Grade 5 pupil in Peñafrancia Elementary School, reportedly died 11 days after his teacher slapped him on September 20.
Antipolo City Chief of Police Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo said that if proven that the teacher inflicted the death of the victim, a complaint for homicide in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act would be filed against her.
“Kung mapagaalaman po natin na may connection o diretsong connection yung pagbubuhat ng kamay ng teacher sa pagkamatay ng bata ay magpa-file po kami ng complaint na homicide in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse [law],” he said in an interview with reporters.
(If we find out that there is a direct connection between the teacher’s slap and the death of the child, we will file a complaint for homicide in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse law.)
If proven otherwise — that the death has no connection with the teacher’s action — he added that physical injury in relation to the mentioned law would instead be filed.
Meanwhile, Elena Minggoy, the victim’s mother, said they are certain to file a case against the teacher once the autopsy result of her child becomes available.
“Sa nangyari sa anak ko, talagang kung siya ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ng anak ko, ‘yun po talaga ang plano ko, na makasuhan siya. Hustisya po ang kahilingan ko sa pagkamatay ng anak ko,” she said in an ambush interview.
(With what happened to my son, if indeed she is the reason for my child’s death, that is my plan to file a case against her. We want justice for the death of my child.)
If the results said otherwise, Minggoy said that they would still submit a complaint against the teacher for hurting her son.
When asked if she would agree to settle the incident without filing charges, she said no.
“Ay hindi na po, ganoon na lang ba ang buhay ng anak ko?” she responded.
(No. Will that be the worth of my child’s life?)
According to Minggoy, they decided to have their son undergo an autopsy to find out what led to his death.
She also mentioned that they are confident that the victim was in good health prior to the incident.
“Wala po talagang sakit ang anak ko,” she stated.
(My child had no illness.)
In an interview with reporters, Public Information Office Chief of the Philippine National Police Forensic Group, Maj. Sotero Rodrigo Jr. said the autopsy would determine the victim’s cause of death.
“Makikita doon yung mga physical scars, yung mga bruises, concussions. Sa autopsy rin, then sa x-ray, makikita kung may mga broken bones, mga ganyan. Possible na makita, ma-differentiate kung newly acquired o matagal na yung injury,” he said, adding that it can also identify if the victim has health complications prior to his death.
(Physical scars, bruises, and concussions are visible in the autopsy. In the autopsy, then in an x-ray, we can see if there are broken bones. It is possible to see and differentiate whether the injuries are newly acquired.)
He also noted that the autopsy could be done within the day, but its report will take around seven days.
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