Docs face raps for unborn child’s death

A criminal complaint was filed against three doctors accused of being responsible for the death of a pregnant Filipina’s unborn child.

Teresa Eleccion and her American partner Bruce Gilmore filed the complaint for abortion with the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutors’ Office.

Cebu Daily News is withholding the names of the doctors pending their answer on the charge.

Eleccion was supposed to give birth last month.

She went to the Mactan Doctor’s Hospital then later transferred to the Toong Maternity Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City.

Eleccion wanted to undergo a caesarean operation since she couldn’t endure the pain of a normal delivery.

However, the doctors allegedly insisted that she give birth through the normal procedure.

Later on, the doctors learned that the baby’s heartbeat was irregular and asked her to engage the services of an anesthesiologist.

The couple decided to transfer to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital where the fetus later died.

The couple accused the doctors of violating article 259 of the Revised Penal Code.

The article refers to “abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives.”

The law says it is unlawful for “any physician or midwife who, taking advantage of their scientific knowledge or skill, shall cause an abortion or assist in causing the same.”

The complaint will undergo preliminary investigation.

The doctor-respondents will be asked to submit their counter-affidavits to refute the allegations. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol