PNP eyes release of autopsy report on student who was slapped in school

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte visits the wake of Francis Jay Gumikib, the Grade 5 student who died 11 days after his teacher allegedly slapped him, in Antipolo City on Friday, October 6, 2023. Photo courtesy of Rizal Police Provincial Office

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is targeting to release this week the medico-legal examination results on a Grade 5 student who died days after his teacher slapped him in school in Antipolo.

According to PNP Forensic Group Medico-Legal Division chief Hector Sorra, 14-year-old Francis Jay Gumikib’s body has started to undergo histopathology and autopsy, adding that they have already begun reviewing the student’s CT scan plates.

Sorra explained that autopsy and histopathology usually take about seven and 30 working days, respectively, but assured that his division is already expediting the process.

“We are trying our best na expedite hopefully baka within the week makapagbigay kami pero di aabot ng 30 days,” the official told reporters in a press briefing on Monday.

(We are trying our best to expedite the process and release it within the week. But definitely, it will not last for 30 days.)

READ: Autopsy to determine case against teacher in Antipolo City pupil’s death

Sorra said histopathology determines other underlying causes of one’s death – a test used to back an autopsy report.

The official likewise revealed that they detected a pulmonary tuberculosis in Gumikib’s lungs; however, he explained that the infection alone could not cause bleeding in the student’s head.

READ: 5th grader dies 11 days allegedly after teacher’s slap in Antipolo City

Gumikib died 11 days after his teacher pulled his hair and slapped him last September 20 at Peñafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City.

Earlier, Antipolo police chief Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo said a complaint for homicide, concerning Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, would be filed against the victim’s teacher if autopsy results showed that the maltreatment caused his death.

JPV